#and she’ll be the most aro girl imaginable

[ilovedthestars]

Feeling frustrated today about how often I see “queer women” in like, marketing for a book or a general appreciation post or whatever, and it really means “sapphic women.” It’s a perfectly reasonable way to use the labels, I know, but I am aroace and I would like to sometimes be included in “queer women” too. Especially when it comes to books, where I sometimes get so excited to see “queer female protagonist” and then realize that means it’s a sapphic romance, which I am too romance-repulsed to enjoy. I just wish “queer” was not so often limited to meaning “same-gender romance.”

[incrediblyconfusing]

BNHA: Aromantic Headcanons

A list of headcanons for characters I think are aromantic and what types of aromantics they are :). I added definitions for two of them because I’m not that good at remembering microlabels so I don’t blame anyone else if they aren’t.  

Kaminari - aromantic bisexual, mystified  

So confused about romance. He gets the overall concept, but he doesn’t really understand why people want it. Like “You guys actually feel like that? I thought it was a joke..” Cannot comprehend the explanations of the Allos™. Still thinks that some people are exaggerating. He’s that person who gives blunt relationship advice like:

“I dunno, have you considered just... telling him you’ve got a crush on him?”

“Y’know, 95% of these problems could be solved if people talked to their partner. Like they’re supposed to.“

He likes to flirt with his friends though, because he knows from his limited research that flirting makes people feel attractive and desired. Also, he’s still a bisexual disaster.  

Todoroki - aromantic asexual, oblivious

He read an article once that was like ‘How to Show Your Love 101’ without realizing it was for confessing to crushes. The next day, he gave a bouquet of red roses to Uraraka, a letter detailing his admiration to Midoriya, heart-shaped chocolates to Iida, and a frog plushie to Tsuyu. Needless to say, there was a bit of confusion in his friend group.

“T-Todoroki-kun, do you want to date... all of us!?“

“Huh?”

“Deku asked if you wanna date all of us at once.“

“No, but if that’s what you want, I don’t mind.“

“But... you gifted us various items often associated with romantic confession. Social cues dictate that that signals you are courting us.“

“I am?“

Todoroki is the popular guy that gets tons of chocolate on Valentine’s Day. He always ends up sharing it with his entire class. It’s up to Class 1A to keep this a secret so they don’t have to deal with an entire school’s worth (seriously, it’s ridiculous) of upset admirers.

Ashido - arospec (cupioromantic) pansexual - leaning towards women,  Hopeless Romantic™

Ashido is canonically cupioromantic and a hopeless romantic. She’d be very favorable towards a relationship and constantly mistakes aesthetic attraction for romantic attraction. Keeping up on the current gossip, making lists with other girls about the hottest boys, and overall being a ‘ditzy blonde’ type means that most people don’t realize her aromanticism. She’s an aro that picks crushes, choosing a different one almost everyday.

When it comes to talking about Ashido’s ‘romantic feelings’, she usually just sticks with boys to avoid homophobia, but give her the go ahead and she’ll gush just as much about girls. Probably in a QPR with Kirishima, Kaminari, and Sero. Bakugou, Jirou and Shinsou are in it too, but they pretend they aren’t.

(Cupioromantic: Romantic attraction is not felt, but the individual has the desire to still participate in romantic relationships)

Shinsou and Aizawa - aromantic asexual, asocial  

These two just want to retire in a nice cozy apartment with as many cats as they can support. It’s not that they don’t like other people, per se, but they just have limited energy for them. Energy which Class 1A has a monopoly on.

“Why would I want someone living with me? Imagine I go to get coffee from the kitchen and there’s just a person there.”

Bakugou - aromantic asexual, smug

He’d be so obnoxious about it because he sees it more like not having a weakness that everyone else does. When he becomes a pro-hero, he’ll always crow in triumph when villains or villainesses try and fail to seduce him as a battle tactic. Fans and enemies alike will try to overanalyze what his ‘type’ is, but any attempt to court him always fails.

I’m guessing that Bakugou also has a little mysophobia, or at least touch aversion, so kissing and third base isn’t the most appealing for him.

Kirishima -  arospec (greyromantic) bisexual - leaning heavily towards men, friend-oriented

A cuddly aromantic, Kirishima is just one of those guys that cares about nothing more than his classmates - to the point of being a little protective sometimes. It’s a given, considering his Quirk is perfect for shielding others.

He never really thought of being in a relationship until Mina brought it up, though he’s definitely had a squish on Crimson Riot as a kid. He doesn’t really care for romance; but if someone wanted to be in a relationship with him, he would definitely be willing to try it out. There’s not much value in dating for Kirishima because he already does ���significant other’ stuff with his friends - they get each other gifts, cuddle, take each other out on impromptu ‘dates’. Romance is nice, but he’s satisfied with what he has and doesn’t really want anything else.

(Greyromantic: Romantic attraction is felt, but it is very infrequent and muted)

Hawks/Takami - aromantic heterosexual, awkward

Created to be the perfect hero by the HPSC, he’s supposed to be marketable as well as competent. Marketability increases citizen trust, and citizen trust makes his job easier. It is important, as a hero, to foster connections with the people he protects.

At least, that’s what he keeps telling himself as he goes on another date with a fan that won some raffle.

In reality, he’s uncomfortable with the whole idea of romance and doesn’t really get it. But, as a celebrity, Hawks is contract-obligated to neither confirm nor deny anything on his sexuality. This means he doesn’t have to get in a relationship, but he also has to do things like accept dates to keep up the illusion of an eligible young bachelor looking for that special someone. To keep up the parasocial fantasies that his merchandising team run off of, he keeps himself ambiguous on the whole thing.

When asked about his single status on TV, he usually just jokes about it.

“Romance? In this economy!?”

Bonus:

Asui, Midoriya, and Burnin’ - aromantic demisexual, leaning towards women

Green

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

In the Paranoid Bella Au where she gets away from Edward by joining the Volturi, could Renata/Bella happen? And if you think that it could, then how do you think they'd get together? Also, do you think their relationship would be good for them, healthy and such?

Anon is referencing this post. That said, Paranoid Bella is a reoccurring guest star on this blog.

The long and short of it is a Bella who realizes Edward's a terrifying, demonic, lunatic because she's completely unhinged manages to survive Twilight and New Moon by humoring Edward then immediately defecting to the Volturi.

Which brings us to, could Renata/Bella happen in this universe?

Maaaaaybe, but it'd take a very long time and a lot of work on Renata's end.

The Circumstances

The right circumstances are there. Bella has joined the Volturi of her own free will, there's no bad blood between her and the Volturi in this world, quite the opposite in fact.

Given her gift, she will likely be made a fellow guard with Renata, there in case anyone with an inconvenient gift should drop by but more out of a need to give her something to do/feel a sense of community. Given that Chelsea doesn't work on Bella, this means that they have to make Bella feel included the old fashioned way.

This means that Bella and Renata will have a lot of quality time together and to get to know each other in general. This makes their relationship (vs. say, Demetri, who has to meet and greet everyone and be all over the place for his gift to be useful, much more likely).

Renata

Renata has a very similar history to this Bella. I imagine when she looks at Bella she feels a very strong sense of kinship and a lot of rage towards Edward Cullen.

I imagine, despite Bella's terrible ability to make any friends whatsoever, Renata will be determined to reach out to this girl and make her feel as at home and secure in the Volturi as she herself does.

This puts a lot of points in Renata's favor: she's going to do her damnedest trying, she's not going to take the first dozen nos for an answer, and she'll likely genuinely listen to Bella and care about her background and everything that happened to her.

Having someone beautiful genuinely invested in Bella and, in this universe, very concerned for Bella's mental wellbeing and accutely aware of just what happened with Edward is HUGE.

What's the Problem?

Bella's a paranoid wreck who just went through a thriller movie. Bella survived because she trusted no one, especially not vampires. She jumped on the Volturi offer because she knows what they want from her. There is a very clear, non-sexual, non-eating related use case for Bella's existence here.

She has a job, so long as she has that job, and performs well in that job, she will survive.

That doesn't mean she trusts anyone here.

Renata's trying to butter her up? Could be Renata's trying to test Bella's loyalties, or else find out how useful Bella truly is, or something that she will pass on to Aro (the man who reads everyone's mind) and use against Bella.

The moment Bella lets her guard down: she might very well be dead.

This Uncle Luca Renata keeps talking about? Doesn't that sound a little contrived, a little too close to Edward Cullen for comfort? Given the Volturi laws, Luca shouldn't even exist, but when Bella asks Renata grimaces and claims Luca is alive and well.

Which means that something's fishy.

Bella will have the walls around her 20 feet high and very well fortified. It could take Renata decades to truly become close to Bella emotionally, and even then, Bella will likely be waiting for Renata to turn on her.

Eventually Though...

Being a paranoid wreck is hard and not good for anyone. You can't keep that sort of mentality up in the long term, you just can't, and if you try you have a mental breakdown.

Bella will sooner or later have that break down.

Renata and others may be able to help her through it and, if all goes well, Bella will come out the other end realizing that not everyone's out to get her. Yes, what happened with Edward was terrible and Bella is lucky to have survived, but Edward Cullens are rare.

Most people in this world, even vampires, are fundamentally good.

In that case, as Bella recovers from her myriad of issues, I imagine she and Renata can get together and it'll be good for them both. Renata finally gains closure on Luca in a way she never could before, by helping someone else heal from a very similar experience. Bella, in turn, gets someone who sees who she is, understands all her trauma, and cares about her deeply.

So, color me shocked as I never say this, but yes I think it'd end up a very stable and healthy relationship. If, of course, they can make it through the hellstorm.

[ashdumpsterpile]

Ohmygod YES Susan Pevensie is awesome please talk to me about Susan i want to know everything you have to say

Literally THANK YOU for asking me this bc Susan Pevensie is a character I never get asked about and I have So Many Opinions.

I'm going to start by saying that Susan used to be my least favorite character in the series. This goes for the books and the movies. Some of it was for personal reasons--she reminds me of a couple of annoying ppl I know irl--but it was also bc I watched Prince Caspian which shoehorned her into a relationship with Caspian which I hated.

HOWEVER. I ended up rethinking this position after interacting with Susan fans and realizing that there are so many wonderful things to love about her!

(putting under the cut bc this got long)

Things Ash Loves About Susan Pevensie

Aight I'm not going to do a formal analysis yet on her, but instead rant about some of the unrelated things I adore about Susan Pevensie.

Susan the Archer

Look we all love archery here. I don't have anything more to say.

Okay, I actually do have more to say. I love the fact that Susan is a complete badass with the bow. You get the general impression that she's one of the royals in charge of public relations, traditions, foreign policy, etc. and yet she's the most competent archer in the series. One of the few things I liked about the movies is how they didn't downplay this. They actually let her be a badass and show off her skills.

Also the part where she kicks Trumpkin's ass was awesome.

Susan the Gentle

Susan being the most passive Pevensie was something I definitely underappreciated as a teenager. I think my non-ability to see past "I'm not like other girls" narrative and the combination of Susan being described as the most traditionally feminine woman in the Narnia series is what initially turned me off from her.

HOWEVER, now it's one of my favorite attributes! I love that Susan is a badass and the most beautiful woman in Narnia. She has hair down to her feet, every man and woman in the kingdom want to fuck her, and she's still a fucking badass who will not hesitate to kick your ass.

Susan the Sister

Most of my thoughts of Susan as an older sister mostly stem from my own personal headcanons, but she is an awesome sister to her siblings. She's Peter's voice of reason, Edmund's sass partner, and Lucy's big sister.

Susan the Mom-Friend

She is a literal mother-figure for Corin.

"[...] the most beautiful lady he had ever seen rose from her place and threw her arms round him and kissed him, saying: "Oh Corin, Corin, how could you? And thou and I such close friends ever since thy mother died. [...]"

-The Horse and His Boy, 33-34

Most everything I have to say about this ventures into headcanon territory, but I love the idea of Susan basically adopting Corin after his mom dies. The way she trusts Cor--who she thinks is Corin in this chapter--is really sweet and I wish we could've seen more of that relationship.

Susan the Flawed

Something I notice from the fandom is a lot of people who hate Susan tend to because of her flaws. On the other hand, most Susan stans like to wave away these flaws and blame C.S. Lewis for being misogynistic or Aslan for being a "cruel god" and ignore the fact that she is a deeply flawed person.

Susan gets something of a "reverse redemption arc" in The Chronicles of Narnia. This makes her not only a fascinating foil to Edmund--as both are analytical, logical people--but an interesting character by herself.

She starts out in TWW as very skeptical of Narnia and it's whole deal and also very condescending to Lucy throughout. She ultimately does admit that Lucy was right and does get on board with the whole prophecy at the same time Peter does, and ends the book being crowned "the Gentle Queen."

In The Horse and His Boy, she has a very interesting dynamic with Edmund and in even more interesting relationship with Rabadash. They don't even interact on-page with each other, but it's highly implied that she was interested in him when he was a guest in Narnia. His behavior obviously changed when she visited him in Tashbaan, but you have to wonder what their dynamic was like before for her to travel all the way to his home when relations between the countries were strained at best.

Prince Caspian is where the cracks start showing through. Susan has lived an entire life as an adult in Narnia, gets thrown back to England with her siblings, and is yet again in Narnia as a child. This book is what really emphasizes her one fatal flaw: convenience.

(Put a pin in that thought, I'll get back to it.)

Susan denies once again that Lucy saw something that the rest of them can't seen. She continues this narrative until every other sibling finally acknowledges Lucy in the right and only then does she apologize.

The last mention of Susan is in The Last Battle, where all of her flaws rise up against her in the worst way possible. I have a lot of controversial opinions on this that I'm going to address later, but I just want to say that Susan's reverse-redemption arc is something I actually like about her.

(There is also evidence that Susan does get a full redemption arc, just as Edmund and Eustace did, but C.S. Lewis was pretty much done with The Chronicles of Narnia at the point and instead encouraged fans to write their own version of how that went down.)

Okay, back to convenience being Susan's fatal flaw. So the one thing that comes up time and time again in the series is that Susan is very focused on material comforts. I believe it's implied that she's vain, and it's canonical that her own personal comfort spurs her to make decisions.

"[...] I really believed it was him — he, I mean — yesterday. When he warned us not to go down to the fir wood. And I really believed it was him tonight, when you woke us up. I mean, deep down inside. Or I could have, if I'd let myself. But I just wanted to get out of the woods and — and — oh, I don't know [...]"

Prince Caspian, 81

Prince Caspian has the strongest examples of Susan doing this, but certainly there's evidence elsewhere. There are a lot of fans who are distressed by this, claiming that Aslan and the others are too hard on her and shouldn't judge.

Honestly, I like that she's written with this flaw. Not only is it very relatable--(my own personal comfort and convenience is something I highly prioritize too)--but it humanizes a character who otherwise is ridiculously op and basically the Helen of Troy of the series. It may sound like I'm using this as an excuse to rant, but I really wouldn't have her any other way.

Susan As Portrayed by Anna Popplewell

Movie!Susan is a fucking delight.

She's sarcastic and badass and awesome and I could spend hours heaping praise on Anna's acting and her portrayal of Susan, but I can already tell that this post is going to be long so, I'll just stop here.

(10/10 want to be stabbed by her tho.)

Personal Headcanons

Let's talk about my fanon thoughts. I have many.

Susan is Aro

There's canonical evidence for this! Susan is a character who is heavily pursued by suitors everywhere, and even lets herself be courted by many of them, but chooses not to settle down. Even when she gets back to England and is described as only having interest in parties and material things, boys aren't mentioned.

I like to think that in The Horse in His Boy Susan was interested in Rabadash at first because he was a brilliant conversationalist. Nothing she says about him implies romantic interest, before and after she realizes the truth of his intentions.

Susan and Edmund Were Best Friends

This might be my love for The Horse and His Boy showing itself, but I think Susan and Edmund were thrown into circumstances where they interacted the most with each other.

Edmund is the ruler in charge of politics. Susan is the ruler in charge of Cair Paravel's public image. I imagine they spent time as ambassadors to other countries and planning royal functions.

They're also the most level-headed and logical out of their siblings, so they probably found a lot in common.

Susan Fancast

I literally just said I loved Anna's potrayal of Susan's (and I love what they gave us of older Susan too in LWW!), but I read the books in 2008 and my parents didn't let me see the movies bc I was like...nine years old and they thought it would be too scary.

So I had to headcanon my own interpretations.

Queen Susan the Gentle:

For some reason Merlin wasn't too scary for me to watch and I fell in love with Katie McGrath in like. Two episodes so. (On an unrelated note, I also fancast Bradley James as Peter at the time.)

Anyway, fanon Susan is basically Morgana Pendragon pre-evil arc. Sassy as hell, hot as fuck, and can kick your ass.

Unpopular Opinions

Yeah, feel free to skip this part if having controversial fandom opinions is a deal breaker for you.

The Problem With Susan Isn't Actually A Problem

I'm about to start so much discourse in the Narnia fandom, but C.S. Lewis's choices with her in The Last Battle weren't misogynistic. Bear in mind, I'm not saying that all of his writing choices in the series were A++ or excusing away certain racist/sexiest bits, but it's honestly baffling to me that people are so up in arms over Susan's exclusion in the final book.

So the part that everyone loses their shit over is as follows:

"My sister Susan," answered Peter shortly and gravely, "is no longer a friend of Narnia."

"Yes," said Eustace, "and whenever you've tried to get her to come and talk about Narnia or do anything about Narnia, she says 'What wonderful memories you have! Fancy your still thinking about all those funny games we used to play when we were children.'"

"Oh Susan!" said Jill, "she's interested in nothing now-a-days except nylons and lipstick and invitations. She always was a jolly sight too keen on being grown-up."

"Grown-up, indeed," said the Lady Polly. "I wish she would grow up. She wasted all her school time wanting to be the age she is now, and she'll waste all the rest of her life trying to stay that age. Her whole idea is to race on to the silliest time of one's life as quick as she can and then stop there as long as she can."

The Last Battle, 83-84

There's a lot to unpack here and I first want to say that everyone's opinion on this part, no matter how different than mine, is valid. I'm going to be quoting some other ppl's opinions on here and by no means am I bashing them. I just want to address my feelings on the matter and the best way to do that is to cite the thoughts of ppl who have opposing ideas.

Here are some arguments on Tumblr I've heard regarding "The Problem of Susan":

"How about we talk about what might have happened if Narnia hadn't deserted Susan? [...] What if we didn't tell Susan she had to go grow up in her own world and then shame and punish her for doing just that? She was told to walk away and she went. She did not try to stay a child all her life, wishing for something she had been told she couldn't have again."

"Narnia is filled with metaphors (often not very subtle ones) that are supposed to teach us how to be, and the most glaring one for any young girl to absorb is that it's okay to be a girl like Lucy, unthreatening and cheerful and valiant and faithful, but to be a girl like Susan gets you punished - in fact, you aren't just punished, you're destroyed."

"why do we call it ‘the problem’ where’s the problem about a young woman dealing with her trauma and choosing her own path, actively making the choice to keep living and to stay and to carve a life out in England when her siblings couldn’t? what is the problem about susan forgetting to somehow cope with what she’s experienced? why is it ‘the problem of susan’ that she recontextualised her faith?"

And then there's JK Rowling who said this:

There comes a point where Susan, who was the older girl, is lost to Narnia because she becomes interested in lipstick. She's become irreligious basically because she found sex. I have a big problem with that.

It's weird how I'm still finding new ways to hate JKR in the year 2021. Again, there is absolutely zero implication that Susan had sex when she came back to England. ZERO. Did she actually read the books? IDK. If someone shares this opinion pls reply with actual canonical evidence.

Back on topic, I'm a firm believer of death of the author and interpreting art via your own experiences. Which is why I'm also going to share my own interpretation by saying y'all are wrong.

Susan Pevensie was not abandoned by Narnia. She was not barred from Narnia because she is traditionally feminine or because she "owned her sexuality" (another opinion I didn't have time to condense down for this post) or because she recontextualized her faith or even because she deserved to be punished.

I also fail to see how Susan recontexualized her faith, as the entire point of it all is that she has none. Bringing this back to Susan's fatal flaw (personal convenience/material comforts), her prioritizing herself over her own faith is the reason she is "no longer a friend of Narnia." Not...whatever fanon y'all are imposing on her character.

Susan is not being punished for liking lipstick and looking pretty. Susan's not even being punished. Y'all read Neil Gaiman's The Problem of Susan and forgot it wasn't canon.

There are many reasons Susan is not in Aslan's Country (one of them being that she's not actually dead yet), but the main one has to do with this:

"[...] But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.”

Voyage of the Dawn Treader, 215-216

Yeah, okay that's why Susan is no longer a friend of Narnia. The implication when the Pevensies are told that they can no longer enter Narnia is that they are to find Aslan in other places. Susan doesn't do this, instead choosing to focus her life on material things. It isn't the lipstick, it's that she only wants the lipstick.

Susan Had Sex In The Books

Oh and not in the context y'all are thinking. (Again, there are no implications that Susan was barred from Narnia for having sex or that she had sex when she came back to England.)

So there's actual canonical evidence that Susan and Rabadash had a sexual relationship. Sort of.

"What think you? We have been in this city fully three weeks. Have you yet settled in your mind whether you will marry this dark-faced lover of yours, this Prince Rabadash, or no?"

-The Horse and His Boy, 35

Edmund calls Rabadash her lover. Not her suitor. I don't know if the word had a different meaning in 1954, but it feels like C.S. Lewis is saying that they're fucking. I'm not really happy with the idea of Susan sleeping with an abuser, but really proud of her for Getting Some as a woman born in a time period where having premarital sex was a big no-no.

This also invalidates the weird opinion going on that Susan was barred from Narnia because she had sex.

Suspian Is The Worst

I haven't really talked about Movie!Susan much, but as long as we're talking unpopular opinions, it's worth noting that I hate Suspian. Some of it is the "Susan is Aro" headcanon screaming inside of me, but it's also the fact that it's written poorly, does nothing interesting for either character and generally comes across as awkward.

I feel like they were trying to make Prince Caspian sexy and relevant to teens. It came across as super heteronormative and unnecessary.

It also gets really really weird bc the next movie then gives Caspian and Edmund mad chemistry and we're all just like........ok.

Final Thoughts

Susan may not be my favorite character in the series, but she's grown on me over the years. I have many issues with fanon interpretations of her--which definately fueled some of my disdain for her initally--and I don't identify as a Susan Apologist.

I do however adore Susan and have many headcanons for her not mentioned here. I love reading fanfic, writing fanfic and meta, and generally having conversations about her and would love to talk more about it.

I welcome criticism (CONSTRUCTIVE) and conversation on all of my opinions and observations. Please drop into my inbox. <3

[like-rain-or-confetti]

Request: A Child’s Imagination (Female!Reader x Aro Volturi)

WARNING: Character death mentions!

"What do you think? A boy or a girl?" You asked, trailing your fingers over the small bump that was your stomach, leaning back in your seat for better access. Aro leaned against the arm of the seat, smiling fondly at your stomach. "I can't say I know, Cara Mia." "Come on!" You pressed with a playful smile. "Pick one. You'll love them just as much either way." "I am inclined to say a son for reasons I was raised with that are significantly unnecessary and outdated as of this time. Although a daughter would be just as lovely." You smiled lovingly at Aro. "You'd spoil her rotten, you spoiled the twins after all." Aro smirked. "Isn't every child spoiled after several centuries of gifts?" You paused. "That's true. Although you know exactly what I'm talking about. I think that if our baby were to be a girl or a boy. You'd spoil them just as you did the twins." You said. "It's not always a bad thing." Aro smiled slightly. "And your answer, my dear?" You hummed. "A girl. I can only imagine all the battles i’d lose if it were you and our son against me. The men of our large family." You grinned and Aro chuckled. "We only do what's best." He responded before kissing the top of his head. "What would you name them?" You asked him, in sudden deep thought. "Aro, please don't tell me you're going to insist we name our baby some name that's older than dinosaurs." Your eyes widened in dread. "I need to be able to say the name!" Aro chuckled. "Well why don't you give me a name and we'll compare?" You paused. "Nate for a boy? Aiden?" "No, it looks like I'll be naming our son because those names are terrible. For a girl?" You hummed. "Charlotte? Evelyn? I'm trying to go a bit more classic for you." You giggled. "Those two are...decent." Aro said with no enthusiasm. "Meaning you aren't too fond of those either." You laughed. "Alright, what about you then? Girl and boy names." "Cleisthenes-" "I'm sorry, what?" Your tracing stopped as an incredulous look moved across your face. "I don't even know how to say what you just said never mind spell that." "It means Glory and Strength. See names in my era actually had meaning." Aro smiled slyly. "So does my era." You laughed. "We just care less about the meaning and more about if we can spell it and if we can say it. Pick again." You continued to giggle as Aro rolled his eyes. "Heliodoros." You said nothing but pressed him further. "Two girl names?" "Artemisia or... Eumelia." Aro responded. "...It appears we'll be having a lot of discussions for baby names." You giggled to yourself. 

Somehow the two of you made a deal. If a girl, you'd choose two baby names that the two of you would pick which was preferred. The same going if the baby was a boy. Then Aro would pick two names for you both to reach a decision on. When the birth arrived, the baby was a boy and Aro made the decision alone on the boys name. However it wasn't the two names he had first said. "Archelaus." Aro had told his brothers. "The people's ruler'." Caius responded with an eyebrow raised. He seemed almost impressed. "How fitting." Marcus drawled.

"Aro, it's time. You need to decide." Caius said as he hovered over you. Aro tore his eyes away from the baby, yet to be cleaned, but bundled in a towel. He looked at his son momentarily, a flash of doubt in his eyes. Yet he said nothing. Caius stared Aro down as Aro looked at you. You were seconds away from your heart stopping altogether. 

Finally Aro shook his head. Caius nodded and Aro left the room, with his newborn son in his arms. There was a sickening crack as Caius mumbled to a guard about ensuring you wouldn't suffer any longer. It was as of Caius considered that a gift. Your heart stopped and perhaps by coincidence, your son began to cry in Aro's arms. "Mio figlio." Aro cooed in a soft voice. "Everything is alright." 

Aro moved into the next room, Renata already waiting for Aro's next instruction, as always. She had always been the most rigid of the Volturi and in a constant state of internal stress whilst her face appeared void of emotion. Then again, that's what made her a good guard and one Aro trusted with his life. She was constantly on the look out for danger. "Might I ask you get him cleaned up, my dear?" Aro asked lightly and Renata nodded immediately moving forward to take the baby from Aro as gently as she could. 

When Renata moved into the closest bathroom, Aro left the room and returned to the room you had given birth in. "They didn't feel it." Caius assured Aro, who nodded in thanks. Caius stepped back, giving Aro some more room with you. Aro ran his fingers through your hair. "Thank you, my dear. Our son will be remarkable, I assure you. I have no doubt you would have been wonderful." Aro leaned in closer towards you, his head hovering over yours. "I'm sorry, my dear." Aro kissed your forehead and closed your eyes with his hand. This hadn't been the first time he had decided to sacrifice those he loved for his goals and no one really knew if it could have been the last. 

Your son didn't seem very affected by your passing. Aro figured it was that he really didn't know you when it came down to it. Although that thought was sad, you had loved your son in the end of the universe. 

Aro saw you curled up in a blanket, running your fingers along your stomach. You had always got little nudges in return. Your stomach softly nudging back at you. You had looked at your bump adoringly the whole time you were showing and when alone, always telling your unborn son how much you loved him. "I'll always love you." 

You did it more so when there was chances you wouldn't survive. So therefore it was no longer just bonding with your unborn child, it was telling him and loving him for every moment you had, in case any of those would be the last. You had hoped he'd remember you if the worst came to be- if you didn't survive the birth. 

There was a pang of sorrow in Aro’s chest. Sorrow for you and sorrow for his son. Aro had really loved you. He had no doubt and he loved his son too, appreciated the gift you had given him. The greatest gift he had ever received. Although he had planned that gift for himself. He had plans for himself, the Volturi and his son. Gaining more power, it was always the plan. Your son was a part of that plan. However you were not and in the end, whilst his love for you was strong, it wasn't enough to discard centuries of plans, reputation and centuries of work. So he let you die, but he made you were comfortable. He had Alec numb your senses, you wouldn't have known when you slipped away and you wouldn't have felt a thing. A peaceful end. Your legacy beginning as you departed from the world with Aro's love and gratitude. 

 Aro kneeled down to Klaus' level faced with answering his son just where his mother had gone. "Such matters are very difficult to tell children- to relay in words that they understand." Aro said softly as he held his son's hands in his own. "Your mother passed away and she's not coming back. She left this world with so much love for you, little one. The last thing she wanted was to say goodbye to you. However these things happen sometimes." Aro paused, searching his son's thoughts, trying to piece together if perhaps Klaus understood even a little bit. "Archelaus..." Aro said quieter, looking into his son's eyes. "Your mother isn't coming home." Aro let go of his son's hands. "She'll always be in here, with you." Aro patted his son's chest lightly, just where his heart sat beating a little faster than before. Klaus, barely looking two years old, looked away from Aro putting his thumb near his mouth as he looked around the room. Although Aro's heart would have shattered if it hadn't already stopped so very long ago. Tears ran down his son's face, his eyes moving back to his father. There was no sound, nothing. Aro couldn't bring himself to say anything, simply watching his son. He wasn't sure what exactly made his son think about you but he seemed to be growing aware of his surroundings, so much so that he is noticing people who are missing from what he remembered. Vampires couldn't cry. No tears could ever fall but to see tears run down his son's face reminded him that his son wasn't just half vampire. He was half human, half you. The human in him cried for the loss of his mother. Aro couldn't help but wonder if you'd have cried too, seeing your son try to understand why he couldn't hear his mother's voice anymore. The moment was brief and ended as quickly as it had began. He had never wondered about his mother before that day and he didn't after that day either. Almost as though Archelaus had forgotten and Aro figured that perhaps it would have been better that way. 

Aro was hoping that Archelaus would meet Renesmee Cullen and when the opportunity arose, he jumped on it. It worked well, checking in on Renesmee's progress, effort to rekindle his friendship with Carlisle and his son meets someone like him who's close to his age.  "Some friends of ours are coming for a brief visit since they're passing by." Aro said fixing Klaus' collar. "They have a little girl who is like you, half human and half vampire." Klaus looked up at his father before nodding. "Would you be willing to keep her company while she's here? I believe she'd be a wonderful friend." Aro asked. Klaus nodded. "Yes, father." 

The two children had ended up in Klaus' room. Klaus having his toy train in hand whilst Renesmee flicked a switch repeatedly to change the lanes. Whilst Klaus knew Renesmee's name, he had yet to introduce himself, giving off the impression he was a rather quiet boy who more than likely kept to himself. Then again, Aro couldn't help but consider perhaps it was due to being around someone who was close to his age. Renesmee was older but it wasn't noticeable in the childrens appearance. "When I get older, I want to travel on a train just like this one!" Renesmee said brightly. "Like the ones in Europe!" "Where would you go?" Klaus asked almost absentmindedly. "I don't know. I just like the thought of getting on a train to anywhere, going wherever I want at the time. So I promised myself that one day I would." "By yourself?" "Yeah!" She grinned. "Unless Jacob says he has to go too. He doesn't like the thought of me going anywhere alone." She looked almost disheartened and Klaus picked up on it. "I know the feeling. I overheard my father and uncles saying I may never get to leave here. At least not alone.” "Would you want to?" Renesmee tilted her head in curiosity. Klaus shrugged. "Maybe. I'd like to see what's out there, I think." Renesmee gasped. "You should come with me! When we're older! We should go together! Wherever we like!" Klaus was surprised. "Really?" "Yeah!" She grinned. "You should tell me your name if we're going to be friends!" "Friends?" Klaus repeated, surprised at how quickly the conversation had escalated. "Of course!" "My name is...a little strange." Klaus admitted. Even he knew his name was a mouthful bit then again, so was 'Renesmee'. "They like to give us strange names, don't they?" Renesmee cracked a smile. "My name was two names mashed together." She said almost bashfully. "Although, I'm mostly called Nessie." "Nessie? As in...?" Klaus tilted his head, trailing off and Renesmee nodded. "...like the monster. Although it wasn't intend as an insult." "My name is Archelaus. It means 'the people's ruler'...but in the human world and some call me Klaus for short." He responded. "What would you prefer I called you?" Renesmee asked. He lightly shrugged. "Klaus is fine." "Nice to meet you Klaus." "Likewise...Renesmee." "I don't mind if you call me Nessie." She smiled and Klaus' mouth twisted. "I'm sorry but I really can't call you that." Renesmee giggled. "That's okay."  "Can I ask you something?" Klaus asked. "Sure!" Renesmee smiled brightly. "Do your parents call you that? " She giggled at the thought. "No! My mum hates it, my dad doesn't like it but my uncle's think it's pretty funny." She paused momentarily. "Does your dad call you by your full name?" Klaus nodded. "Yes. As do my uncle's. Most of the guard call me Klaus though...unless my father and uncles are around." 

After another moment of silence, Klaus spoke up. "My father says you're gifted." Renesmee nodded. "Wanna see?" "How?" He asked. "Like this!" Renesmee cupped a hand to his cheek and he went rigid, startled by her sudden movement. 

Flashes of images rushed through his mind and he began to realise that this was Renesmee's story, showing others her abilities before himself. "Woah..." He said quietly. "Do you have a gift?" She asked. Klaus shrugged looking down. "Don't you ask your mum and dad?" "I think my father would have told me if I did but...my mother died when I was born. I can't ask her." "Oh...I'm sorry." Renesmee said sadly with a sympathetic expression. "It's okay. You know the feeling. I saw it. Your mother nearly died too." Renesmee nodded. "Yes. She was lucky. At least that's what my dad says." Klaus lightly shrugged but nodded. "Do you miss her?" Renesmee asked. "No...I mean, sometimes I do but I just think about how much I love her and that she loves me the same." 

Klaus looked up hearing the door open to be met with Jane. Klaus simply looked back down at his toy train absentmindedly. “Hello, I heard you talking about your mother.” Jane moved to stand in front of him.Klaus paused.  “Would you tell me about her?” Jane asked. "I think I see her sometimes." Klaus quietly and Jane joined him on the floor. Klaus continued to play with his toy train. "Not all the time, only when I miss her the most." Klaus added with a small smile. However Jane could see his sad eyes and understood it. Children like Klaus, children like herself and her brother, they should never have such sad eyes. Yet they did. "Would you tell me about it?" She asked. "Well, I think it's her. I look her at her and somehow I just know that it's my mother. She's always happy to see me. She has a pretty smile." Klaus added, quickly glancing at Jane who smiled slightly in response. "She does?" Klaus nodded. "I talk to her sometimes. She doesn't say much back but that's okay. I asked her once, if I could keep her." "Oh? Did she answer?" Jane asked softly. "She said I could. That she'd always be with me, even when I can't see her." Klaus was completely unaware of the sadness Jane had begun to feel. When Jane's mother died, she wasn't able to face it, being a newborn and learning to trust Aro. After a couple of years, Jane began to think about her mothers death. It reinforced how alone she was and how alone she had always been. Although now she had lost someone, making her life even more empty than it had ever been before. 

It had been Athenodora who comforted Jane and Alec as best as she could. Although all she could say was that their mother would have been relieved to know her children had survived and were safe. Klaus didn't get this same conversation, yet it seemed as though he didn't need it. He had found a way to cope on his own. Or at least, that's all Jane could hope. She couldn't help but wonder if Klaus didn't hear you say much was because he didn't really know you. It was clear ghosts didn't exist. Yet he had created someone in his head that he assumed was you and would respond in his interpretation of what you would have said rather than what you actually would have said. Perhaps that silence he received by his imaginary friend was Klaus not knowing what his mother would say and so no response would be given. "Does it make you sad sometimes?" She asked. "Not really." Klaus looked up at Jane again with a slight smile. "I know my mother loves me and that's all that matters really." 

When Caius entered the room, he entered a war zone. For once, Marcus was mentally and physically present in the room. He was angry. Not only that, angry and arguing with Aro. Both Marcus, and Aro had pitch black eyes and it didn't take long to recognise just what they were arguing about. "I don't need to sympathize to you!" Marcus snapped. "You chose this! You did this to yourself, you did it to her and you did it to your son! You decided she wouldn't be changed so I won't have any sympathy for you because I know I sure as hell did not choose my loss!" "Everything I have ever done, was for this coven!" Aro seethed through a clenched jaw. "(Y/N) would have been apart of that. Spare me your words Aro. You let her die because she didn't fit your goals. You never even consulted us, this decision, and rightly so, was on you. You knew for months where this was going and you made your choice!" Aro scoffed. "You make it sound so easy. Then again, when have you ever made a difficult decision in your life Marcus?" Aro responded icily. "I loved (Y/N) with everything I had and my decision to let her go was not easy. If you cared so much then you wouldn't have sat there for all those months knowing she'd die!" Marcus was immediately on his feet, standing feet away from Aro. "I watched that girl die. You should have been where I was standing. I told her she had a healthy son and my face was the last thing she saw and it should have been you! Furthermore, I was by her side as she gave birth because you weren't there!" Aro snarled before Caius intervened. "Enough!" Caius snapped, stepping in between the two men. "We all knew this would happen. What we didn't know was that Aro would grow attached. Now let me make myself quite clear." Caius began coldly. "(Y/N) died loved and appreciated by Aro and held many of the guards hearts. She was wonderful and she died. We all know that many women have died in childbirth in our time. She brought Archelaus into this world and passed away. Before she could suffer, I killed her. She felt nothing and wasn't alone! We cannot and will not destroy ourselves with the 'what ifs'. We all did what we did and now we live with it because that boy needs it. He is what matters now!" The situation de-escalated greatly after this but Caius continued. "Aro, I understand you are in pain and Marcus is the only one here that knows that pain. So why don't you be help one another with that pain and not use it to tear each other apart?" Marcus and Aro stared at each other before they both back down in unison. "Make me the mediator one more time and I kill you both." Caius growled. "Honestly...see the gift (Y/N) gave you both. Memories, a son and a nephew. Could you even fathom what she'd be thinking right now seeing you both like this!?" 

When night had fallen, Archelaus was taken to bed with his usual nightly routine. Renata was the one who took him to bed this particular night. The guard took turns and later Aro himself would check in on him. As usual Aro received a good report that Archelaus was in bed which left Aro a couple of free hours before he checked in. He spent those hours properly patching things up with Marcus, the two understanding each other by the time he was done. Thankfully the two were able and willing to overlook the incident. 

Aro couldn't help but frown slightly. It was in the middle of the night, the lights were off in many of the rooms down the wing where Klaus stayed. It was to help him sleep, even the lights for the hall were off. It helped the illusion that everyone was asleep at the same time he was. Even though it wasn't necessary, Aro figured it may appeal to his human side. 

However, instead of sleeping he wasn't even in that wing. Aro found his son on the floor below his room in one of the many rooms that had a TV in it. Aro figured his son was sneaking in some TV time or playing when regardless he should have been asleep in bed. However Aro stopped, before reaching the doorway, hiding in the shadows and out of sight. 

His son giggled again, arms stretched out at nothing and grinning up at something Aro couldn't see.  A excited squeal escaped his son and Aro blinked. Suddenly, his son was no longer alone. Someone lifted him into the air, spinning him before setting him down before spinning with him. That someone looking an awful lot like you. "I'll always love you." Aro heard your voice whisper with an echo. Aro blinked again and suddenly you were gone, his sons giggling dying down. It seemed he could no longer see you either, hands dropping to his sides. 

Aro moved closer unable to really pinpoint an emotion, many swirling and battling for the spotlight. His son turned to look at Aro and fully expected to get a scolding at the very least, however it never came. Aro slowly entered the room, barely making a sound and sparing a glance to the empty space you were previously in. Aro looked down at him with a soft expression. "Was that your mother?" He asked quietly. Klaus looked nervous, looking down at his hands. "It's alright Archelaus, I saw it too." Aro explained. "I miss her sometimes." Klaus finally spoke. "When I think of her, after a while, she comes to see me." "Oh?" Aro tilted his head. Klaus continued. "I mean, I know it's not really her. I like to pretend she's here and if I'm patient, she's comes to see me." "Can you show me?" Aro asked holding out his hand. 

Klaus slowly put his hand in Aro's. He was right, this wasn't the first time. He remembered what you looked like, his imagination doing the rest of the work. Whenever he found himself thinking of her, longing for her presence. She'd come to see her son. Of course it became very apparent this was simply his impression of her, Klaus' imagination building the pieces to replicate his mother as best as he could along with what he hoped she'd be like. 

"I'm sorry I got out of bed, father." Klaus said quietly. "That's alright little one." Aro said, unable to punish his son after discovering his son's gift. "We'll take you back to bed." Before leading his son away, he pulled his son into him, bending ever so slightly to hold his son closer. 

Aro had always wondered how his son dealt with topic of his mother although could never bring himself to venture into his son's thoughts for you. However, he held comfort in knowing that his son had found peace and comfort to cope with your passing. He had no doubt that his son would have questions about why you weren't saved when he grew up but he could live with that. He could live with the spare time, your son had unknowingly given him.

[asexual-society]

Hi! Sorry if I'm disturbing, but I'm in need of help. I'm a twenty-years-old girl who always thought of herself as bisexual. Last week I had a date with one of my friends, and as we said we liked each other, things got physical (hugs, kisses, touchings...). I always felt uncomfortable thinking about kissing or having sex, and I don't generally hug people; everyone always told me it was because I'm reserved and timid, and I believed them, but now I'm questioning myself. I can't imagine myself doing these things with a significant other... but my parents tell me it's because I haven't found the right person. Now, I'd really like to be with my friend romantically, but I don't want to be involved physically... as I'm not sure about my sexuality (or asexuality?), I don't even have an excuse for my behavior. I don't want to scare her away or to star a relationship where she can't get what she wants, so I don't really know what to do. I don't want to hurt her! Could you give me any advice? (I hope my writing was decent enough, as English isn't my mother tongue)

Hey anon, it sounds like you could be asexual if you don't feel any desire to be with anyone sexually, and of you're very uncomfortable with the idea of having sex, you may be sex repulsed, which is pretty common for people on the asexual spectrum. A lack of desire to kiss anyone can also be a trait of asexual people, or it could be a result of being on the aromantic spectrum. I'd also look into touch aversion, which sounds like something you might be experiencing. You don't have to be aspec to be sex repulsed or touch averse, but both can be common among asexual people.

I'm a pretty reserved and shy person, and I often find it difficult or uncomfortable initiating physical contact with people like hugs, and sometimes I don't like them at all. Occasionally I get a good hug, but most of the time it just feels weird. I tried kissing once and I wasn't a fan of that either, so I probably won't do it again, and the idea of having sex with someone makes me super uncomfortable. Society may deem this experience to be wrong in some way, but that's just how I am, and many other people are too.

If you're uncomfortable with anything though, I'd really recommend telling you're friend that before perusing anything with her. If you enjoy the dating aspect of it, that's okay, you aren't obliged to like any other parts, there's nothing wrong with not liking some forms of physical intimacy, even if you aren't on the ace or aro spectrums, but it's important to be honest with someone if you do think you'd like to be in a romantic relationship with them. If you're feeling pressure to behave a certain way that you don't want, that won't lead to anything good, you can't force yourself to suddenly be different, and you don't need to.

Unfortunately, for some people this may not be what they want out of a relationship, for some people these aspects are important to them, that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you (or them), it just means you aren't compatible, just like if you were with someone who didn't want kids, when you did. That's easy for me to say from an outside perspective, but I know it can be really hard, especially with someone you care a lot about, but she's your friend first, and hopefully she'll respect you and understand that whatever happens it doesn't mean you care any less. You deserve someone who can respect your boundaries, but she deserves for you to be honest about your feelings, even if you think it might hurt her to know how you feel, it also could hurt her to know if she was making you in any way uncomfortable, and it's better to be open about your feelings now, rather than wait until you push yourself too far.

You don't need a "reason" to dislike or feel uncomfortable with certain actions, only you can determine how you feel, don't let anyone tell you how you "should" be or who you should like or that you don't know yourself better than anyone.

I really hope you can talk to your friend, that things go okay for you, and that you can feel more comfortable, please don't hesitate to send another ask if you need to (and don't worry about your English, it's good). Best of luck.

- mod key

[therealvinelle]

“By contrast, I can think of characters who resemble most other Twilight characters with a relative amount of ease.”

You put this at the end of an ask and was just wondering if you would please elaborate? Have a lovely day

(Anon is referring to this post.) Do you ever look at two characters, realize they have a few things in common, then blink, take a step back, and realize that they really do have an awful lot in common? That they're more or less the same person, only in different circumstances? The same archetype, at the very least.

I'm open to the possibility that you'll say no, @thecarnivorousmuffinmeta and I are strange people who see strange things.

All the same, here are a few examples.

Also, this contains spoilers for the animes Fate/Zero, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and Revolutionary Girl Utena, as well as the play Vildanden, the book Candide, and the show I, Claudius.

Aro: Kiritsugu Emiya from Fate/Zero.

Kiritsugu is a highly effective assassin whose defining trait, and curse, is his willingness to commit any atrocity in the name of the greater good. His ambition is to save the world. Over the course of the series he sacrifices his father, surrogate mother, best friend, wife, and daughter, and treats everybody else like chess pieces. It will all be worth it when he has saved the world.

He is the opposite of Bella, who would let anything burn for the sake of her loved ones. Kiritsugu loves fiercely, but he will sacrifice that which is most precious to him with a steady hand.

Aro has that same ruthlessness combined with idealism. He sacrifices his sister and is willing to kill his only friend as well, to say nothing of the many other things he has done. He creates child vampires and will kill anyone who stands in his way. This is what he must do to gain and maintain power.

Aro and Kiritsugu will sacrifice anything and anybody if they perceive it to be beneficial to their goal, a goal they happen to share.

Also Aro: Claudius from I, Claudius.

Cladius is the emperor of Rome not because he wishes to be, but because the moment he steps off the throne, Rome will fall to pieces.

Aro did seek out the throne, Claudius very much did not. However, both are in the precarious situation where they can never leave their respective thrones. Rome would fall to pieces without Claudius, and the world would burn without Aro.

Also Aro: Voldemort in an AU where he won.

We're deep in la la AU land now.

But, Aro had to commit atrocities to get to the throne, we only meet him millennia later when his rule is secure. A post-victory Voldemort (and I here mean years and years and years have passed) would be a figure quite similar to Aro. A harsh, uncompromising leader, yet he’s been around for long enough to shape the world into what he wants it to be, people don’t remember that it was once different, and he is regarded as the distant, yet necessary leader.

Bella: Hedda Gabler from Vildanden.

Hedda finds out she's a child born of infidelity, and that her father no longer loves her. Wanting to win back his love she kills herself. Bella, too, has that utter lack of self-love, that willingness to sacrifice herself, and it’s all too easy for her to believe Edward never loved her. Both Hedda and Bella fail to understand there are people who love and would miss them

Also Bella: Homura Akemi from Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

This is not an obvious one.

But they both have that uncompromising drive to do anything and everything for the one they love, and by love I mean the one they fixate everything they are or have ever been upon. Homura, over the course of P3M, goes from wanting to use time travel to save everybody, to being content with saving only Madoka. She will destroy herself for Madoka in a very literal sense, seeing no worth at all in her own survival.

Give Bella a time machine and a timeloop where Edward always dies at the end, and she will go down Homura’s path.

Caius: Every warrior king ever. Ooh and he and Iskandar (again from Fate/Zero) have very similar vibes, although they're far from the same character.

Iskandar believes that kingship and leadership is not about being noble or virtuous or showing a good example to your people, it's about strength, conquest, and glorious victory.

Caius, I imagine, would heartily agree with that.

Carlisle: I love Carlisle, but there are Carlisles everywhere, especially in anime. Utena Tenjou from Revolutionary Girl Utena comes to mind in particular, though.

Utena begins her story as a righteous and brave girl who wants to be a prince. She wants this without quite understanding what it truly means to be noble, nor does she know what it means to save a person.

Her desire to save Anthy is especially this. Anthy is a traditional damsel in distress at the beginning of the story, and Utena is so eager to save her that she never takes what Anthy herself into account. She judges herself harshly for this failure, but comes to understand what it truly means to save Anthy in the end.

Carlisle has that same nobility and willingness to do good, he is the moral compass of those around him, but all the same he is hoodwinked and does not always know where best to thread. His rescue of Rosalie is a good example of this, he saw a young woman who’d been raped to death, and did the only thing he could to help her, only to learn this wasn’t what she wanted.

Also Carlisle: god, so many characters.

Shirou from Now and Then, Here and There. Suffers a ridiculous amount, but never loses his goodness and insists even in the most extreme circumstances upon the inalienable worth of human life.

Duck from Princess Tutu. Never uses violence or even powers to win against her opponents. She talks to them, finds out why they're unhappy, and wins through healing them. They become friends with her after.

Akane Tsunemori from Psycho-Pass. In a world where people’s souls can be calculated mathematically, Akane Tsunemori is objectively a good person, empirically proven to be incorruptible. That’s her defining trait, no matter what she endures she never loses her upstanding morals. The kind of person who wouldn’t succumb to the lure of human blood.

Just gonna drop the fact that Carlisle’s hair and eyes are the same color, Edward with his vampire sight notes that they’re only one shade apart. The guy is a misplaced anime character.

Oh, and Candide from Voltaire’s Candide. This is just a loose association, but “beautiful blond man travels the world, meets people who are over the top cartoonishly miserable (just... multiply Meyer’s backstories with each other and add 10. Victoria’s life + Rosalie’s life + Esme’s life + their mother is pushed off a cliff by dalmatians) but he carries on with a big smile, and eventually settles down with his found family of hilariously wretched people” gives me Carlisle vibes.

Edward: He's so many people and in so many different ways, oh my god.

He's a mommy's boy who cries because I'M A MONSTER - Buster Bluth. Arrested Development.

He thinks too highly of himself - Gilderoy Lockhart from Harry Potter.

He GOBs - George Oscar "GOB" Bluth. Again Arrested Development.

He appears normal to the outside world, yet there's a complete meltdown with incoherent rants, strong opinions about music, and strong disturbing tendencies towards violence he may or may not act on - Patrick Bateman from American Psycho.

He's weird about women, mother figures, himself, and violent. Creepy yet undeniably charming - Norman Bates from Psycho.

The way he regards Bella - strong Humbert Humbert from Lolia vibes. Replace "nymphet" with "singer" and there you go.

Really, though, with Edward, he is like these yet unlike them all. He’s... he’s a lot.

Emmett: Much like how Caius is a warrior king, Emmett is Frat Bro™.

Jasper: Clint Eastwood for reasons outlined in this post.

Marcus: Arwen after Aragorn inevitably dies.

A sad sad elf who's fading away.

Rosalie: Cordelia Chase from Buffy

Speaks her mind, no matter how brutal it is or how little people want to hear it. She does not forgive those who wrong her, she is proud, and most importantly, she is misjudged. Her beautiful appearance and bitchy veneer make her easy to dismiss, but once the going gets tough she is a deeply good person. She’ll make bitchy comments about watching your back, but watch it she does.

-

I also do this with ships. Aro/Carlisle are a great match for Dorian Gray and Lord Henry, if Lord Henry had failed to corrupt Dorian Gray and been delighted by that fact.

I have other examples, but they go weird places so let’s not.

TL;DR: I'm Miss Marple.

[miraculouscontent]

Askplosion #11:

(note that I know I mentioned a “Voiced Askplosion” last time in the tags for anyone who put a 🎤 in their ask, meaning they wanted to hear me respond verbally to it, but I only got one and it wasn’t anything serious - just a tease from someone I know - so I either won’t be doing it at all or will be holding off)

Asks responding to previous posts:

ALYA NO!!!

(the idea of Sabrina avoiding not only Ms. Mendeleiev, but also Alya, is very amusing to me)

The fact that the special focuses on the love square instead of Sabrina and Delmar is a crime.

(also note that “Need some help?” is rhetorical in this context; Alya doesn’t care)

Highly recommended, honestly, otherwise it just turns into a big shame because there are shows I really like but with some content that I don’t like, and why torture myself with it when I can cut it out instead?

Just to give a rough idea, here’s my cut of “Desperada”; mind you, this is just my quick cut of it (basically a “beta” version where I just removed everything I disliked without much care for transitioning/having everything make sense; some of Marinette’s friends talking, the guitar scene, Aspik, etcetera), as I’m not comfortable handing over my “perfect” cut of it since it’s like my personal copy.

Yeah, that’s a super awkward scene. As much as I’d like to imagine that Adrien just doesn’t understand the “guy time” thing (which I still hate), the fact that they use the word “guy” specifically is--ugh.

I wasn’t aware of what he said in the French dub, so thanks! It’s really painful to see her throw so much love his way, openly and publicly and obviously, then be so humiliated for it, only for Adrien to feel nothing for her.

Say whatever you want about Chat Noir’s advances and how sAAAAAAD he is when she rejects him, but her rejections are just that; in private. There aren’t other heroes who are around and Chat is never really humiliated. Even in “Prime Queen,” Chat wasn’t the target - Ladybug was, and then Ladybug shifted it to Nadja - so Marinette is the one taking all the heat in love while Chat gets to sit on the sidelines (plus, then “Oblivio” happened and now people probably all thing they’re a thing).

Yeah! That’s the group I was thinking of!

Thank you!

I’m so sorry that happened. ;—;

I’m not aro but I am ace and I’ve gotten the whole, “oh it’s just because--” stuff before, so I know what it feels like to have people put on the pressure/invalidate you.

YES.

IT’S GORGEOUS.

I’m not really familiar with how holidays are celebrated outside of the bare basics of Christmas/New Year (which I am trying my hardest to forget lol), so I couldn’t say.

Sorry!

New Asks:

10/10 thought, would fantasize again.

Though would also accept MC Audrey just doing some “spring cleaning” of the whole staff in general. I have no idea how she’d replace Jeremy since he’s the company’s poster boy but most of the writers have to go at the very least and Jeremy should be given less power.

I think MC Audrey would appreciate how Kagami carries herself, though potential bonus if - while Tom and Sabine just openly trust whatever Marinette wants - Audrey does a bunch of digging to make sure Kagami is “worthy” of being with Marinette (she takes this all very seriously).

Double potential bonus if Kagami takes it just as seriously, so here’s Audrey and Kagami acting as if Kagami dating Marinette is like some sort of job interview.

Kagami handing over a “resume” of her accomplishments to Audrey. Audrey has already looked all of it up herself but appreciates the effort put in.

If the question in Miraculous is, “Do we really need a--” and the thing being introduced is something the staff came up with then the answer is usually “no.”

The movie will look pretty and that’s all I’ll expect. It’s just Jeremy’s take on Miraculous. Luka and Kagami probably won’t even be around so I’m not even interested.

I’ll watch it, but I’m also not interested lol.

Honestly, I’d rather turn into bubble froth.

oddly specific but... I mean, damn

I have no idea, and I try not to throw around words like “spite ship” because I know people could genuinely like the ship, though I will say that I went on AO3 and - unless I read from - the first Maribat fanfiction on there was posted after the airdate of “Chameleon.” I think it might’ve started with inspiration from “Marinette moves schools” ideas at the very least.

Non-Miraculous Asks responding to previous posts:

Oh, I understood, no worries! It was just funny for the split second it took me to figure it out.

My bad, that’s not how I meant to come off (especially since “magical girl shows” is a little broad; I mean, obviously I don’t think something like Cardcaptor Sakura is aiming for fanservice when Sakura’s--like... ten). I answered all those asks in the last askplosion in the same day so my brain was a little fried by the time I got to that ask.

I’m not even talking about Sailor Moon either; it’s just that I knew there are shows with fanservice and there are certain magical girl outfits where I kind of give the side-eye.

Absolutely zero problem with girls fighting in pretty outfits though. I fully admit that I’m a bit of a prude so sometimes I see fanservice where there might not be any. Super short skirts without shorts, for example, inherently throw me off (shout-out to Saint Tail - which I discovered while looking up “pretty magical girl outfits” - because the main character does have a skirt in “magical girl” form but also tights/boots and a cute hat, which is one of the more unique ones I’ve seen).

Non-Miraculous Asks:

Do you mean Sailor Moon Crystal? Yeah, the only reason I hesitate on Sailor Moon in general is because I’m not crazy about the transformed designs. It’s not really a matter of animation but more a design choice that takes me out of the experience.

I have seen all of Cardcaptor Sakura anime though, and then all of the Clear Card arc. I like the former, despise the latter, and I tried to keep up with the manga but once one of the big plot details were revealed, I officially dropped it.

As for Revolutionary Girl Utena, I looked it up a while ago and don’t remember what exactly turned me away. It might’ve been the darker tone though if what you say is accurate that it’s a darker take on a magical girl show.

Also, I may or may not have looked up the ending of at least Princess Tutu and I’m sorry, I’m sure it’s a great anime, but if there isn’t a happy ending then I give whatever anime a hard pass.

(note: yes, I realize the hilarity of saying that when I continue watching Miraculous)

-

(More Madoka Magica talk/salt below!)

Ohhh, it started a trend? I had no idea since I don’t actively keep up with every anime out there; descriptions need to really pull me in (the only current anime I’m keeping up with is Hanyou no Yashahime, Otherside Picnic, and Cells at Work (Season 2)).

The focus on specific--uh--body parts in magical girl transformations also reminds me that I think that’s usually what kills it for me, not because of the sexualization but because I expect transformations (especially ones that get repeated over and over) to be really dynamic with changing angles and such, which is harder to do when the camera is trying to draw focus to specific places.

Obviously you have to do it for some moments (I’ve always imagined Miraculous transformations like a potential sheep or another one for rabbit, then rabbit!Jean from Leave for Mendeleiev and fox!Juleka from LadyBugOut) because things will be weird if you focus on nothing, but I think there are ways to draw the eye without trying to sexualize.

Not having Ladybug-esque bodysuits is a good start. It reminds me too much of the Catwoman with just a bodysuit so it leaves nothing to the imagination.

How did I forget about that Sayaka scene? omg (though I dunno if the Bechdel Test is hard to pass if there aren’t really any endgame male love interests? are there rules about that? not saying a pass isn’t a pass but it feels like cheating)

It is nice when fans can respect the opinions of others without having to outright attack. I have had a few people come to me with, “I see your point/respect it even if I disagree,” instead of accusing me/others of--well, you get it.

Fandoms can be really messy, particularly as they get larger. I think there’s a certain balance between small fandoms that all know each other and a big fandom that’s out of control. Then there are things like “loud minority” and it’s just uggggh.

Anyway, back to the asks themselves, yeah, I’m not crazy about taking things that are just meant to be positive/cute/whatever and being like, “OKAY BUT WHAT IF IT WAS EDGY AND SAD.”

n o ,  p l z

Oh, I’ve never heard of that one!

Sayaka dying didn’t really do anything for me either. It’s hard to explain when I saw it so long ago, but it was just Sayaka’s attitude about the whole thing and it made it feel underwhelming. It was a shame too because I liked her and she had potential.

She was Madoka’s friend so I was just like, “Yeah, she’ll die soon.” Probably didn’t help since I knew what I knew about the show being “dark.”

Madoka/Sayaka is probably what I’d support the most out of all the potential shoujo ai ships. To my knowledge, none of them are really canon, though I remember a special song after the death Sayaka and Kyoko which I guess makes them the most canon and that did basically nothing for me since their relationship didn’t interest me (nor did I care for Kyoko as a character). The PSP game might have more intimate potential between the girls, but I never played them so I can’t make those claims (I only remember something about everyone potentially living and then a bad ending for Sayaka where part of her body was decayed when they didn’t get her soul gem back in time).

The tomboy argument makes me think back to a conversation with a friend of mine where we were discussing tomboys in anime and... we couldn’t really think of any? At least any that really qualify as “tomboy” for me.

Like, Misty from Pokemon, for example. I knoooooow everyone really likes Misty, but regardless of my opinion on her, it’s hard to see her as a tomboy.

I feel like they try to lean that way by making her super aggressive and violent (because... m E N) and I think Ash makes a comment once about her not being “like a girl,” but... I feel like that’s just how general “aggressive” female characters are written?

I mean, that’s tsundere female characters I’ve seen in general. Really loud (and not in a “gIrlS aRe sO lOuD aND ScReEcHY” way but like... the way anime gives them big heads while they scream at whatever male character they’re mad at), angry a lot, short fuse, etcetera.

But Misty is still crazy about clothes and dolls, she still gushes about cute things and romance, and both of those things seem pretty indicative of what “standard girl character” would be defined by, since they’re all “stereotypically girl thing” (I say stereotypically for obvious reasons since boys can like blah and girls can like blah and gender exclusivity is blah--). I get that she dresses differently, but that’s about it, and it comes off like, “she dresses differently and she’s ANGRY and VIOLENT, so she’s a tomboy,” which... yeah. They even gave her three beauty queen sisters with CURVES and BUSTS as if to say, “See?? These are GIRLS, not TOMBOYS.” (busty females can exist who are also tomboys, thank you have a nice day).

This becomes more complicated in magical girl anime since girly clothes are usually part of that so “tomboy” means that frills and skirts probably wouldn’t be a factor.

I mean, if you gave those sorts of outfits to me, I’d be like, “SCREW IT, I’M NOT A MAGICAL GIRL ANYMORE. IF LOOKING PRETTY IS REDUCED TO SKIRTS AND FRILLS, SOMEONE ELSE CAN SAVE THE WORLD.”

I’d also like to see some mixes between personalites and “tomboy” things. Like, non-stereotypical tomboy personalities doing tomboy things. Mix and match, y’know?

This was really rambly, but to answer the question... no, I wouldn’t count Sayaka as a tomboy.

All of this.

I think it also exemplifies the whole “dark and edgy magical girl show” thing because... ugh, how do I put this...

The “girls are overly emotional” thing is already bad, but then you realize that there not being any magical boys is also because that doesn’t hit the “shock value” threshold as much.

Y’know, because boys equal dark and edgy shows, so if there was even one magical boy it wouldn’t be as shocking when Mami gets her head chomped. They could’ve done, “emotional teenagers are the target because they’re in that vulnerable stage; smarter and more physically capable than children, but not as mature/stable as adults,” but having some boys in there for balance (it makes me feel weird saying that when I’m all for girl power shows with an all female cast, but in this show’s logic, it’s a different ball game) would make the show seem less bright and “girly” and thus lessen the shock value.

Does that make sense?

[teenslib]

IT’S FINALLY DONE! Every year, the Rainbow Book List Committee has more books to review, because literature is slowing getting queerer, and children’s and YA lit are at the forefront of that change. This year, our committee of 13 people had to review nearly 500 eligible titles, and 130 (well, 129) were good enough and queer enough to make the list. There were so many terrific books that we got a special dispensation to create TWO Top Ten lists--the first time the committee has done so! The Top Tens are below, and please visit the link above for the full list.

I’m proud of our committee’s focus on diversity--along lines of race, ethnicity, queer identity, and even genre. At least half of the Top Ten Books for Young Readers and seven of the Top Ten for Teen Readers are about characters of color, and most of those were written by authors of color. We also tried to feature as many different letters of the alphabet soup as possible. I’ve noted the racial and LGBTQIA+ rep for the books that I’ve read.

Here are the Top Ten Books for Young Readers:

Ana on the Edge by Sass, A.J. Ages 8 to 12. Sports Fiction/Figure Skating. MC is nonbinary and Jewish-Chinese-American. Ana is a champion figure-skater. She hates her new princess-themed program, but how can she tell her mother that, when it cost so much money? And why does it bother her so much, anyway? When she finds the word ‘nonbinary,’ she realizes why the program doesn’t fit, but she still has a lot of work to do repairing relationships that have suffered in the meantime.

The Deep & Dark Blue by Smith, Niki. Ages 8 to 12. Fantasy. One of 2 MCs is a trans girl, all characters appear to be Southeast Asian. A pair of twins flee after a political coup that puts their lives at risk. They decide to disguise themselves as Hanna and Grayce, two girls living in the Communion of the Blue, an order of weaving women who spin magic like wool. What one twin doesn’t know is that, for the other, being Grayce isn’t a disguise. This is a beautiful story about self-discovery, acceptance, and affirmation.

Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring by Burgess, Matthew and Josh Cochran (Illustrator). Ages 6 to 14. Biography. MC is a white gay man. This colorful picture-book biography traces the life and art of Keith Haring.

The Every Body Book: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families by Simon, Rachel E. and Noah Grigni (Illustrator). Ages 8 to 12. Nonfiction/Health. Various identities and races included. Filled with self-affirming information, The Every Body Book uses inclusive language, illustrations, and facts to cover a number of important topics for young people including consent, relationships, gender, sex, puberty, and hormones.

King and the Dragonflies by Callender, Kacen. Ages 8 to 12. Realistic Fiction. MC is a gay black boy, his best friend is a gay white boy. King’s family–especially his father–have strong opinions about what it means to be a Black man, and they don’t allow for being gay. But King admires his friend Sandy for escaping an abusive home and living his truth no matter what. If King comes out, too, can his father learn to change?

Magic Fish by Nguyen, Trung Le. Ages 12 and up. Realistic Fiction/Fantasy. MC is a gay Vietnamese-American boy. A young Vietnamese-American boy literally can’t find the words to tell his parents that he’s gay, but cross-cultural fairytales help bridge the language barrier in this beautifully-illustrated graphic novel. 

My Maddy by Pitman, Gayle E. and Violet Tobacco (Illustrator). Ages 4-8. Realistic Fiction. MC’s parent is nonbinary, MC and her parent are white. My Maddy is a heartwarming story about a young girl and her parent. Readers learn that not all parents are boys or girls; some parents are just themselves. In this young girl’s case, that parent is her Maddy, a loving, caring parent who lives outside the gender binary.

My Rainbow by Neal, DeShanna, Trinity Neal, and Art Twink (Illustrator). Ages 4-8. Realistic Fiction. MC is an autistic black trans girl. Autistic trans girl Trinity wants to have long hair, but growing it out is too itchy! None of the wigs in the store are quite right, so Mom makes Trinity a special rainbow wig.

Our Subway Baby by Mercurio, Peter and Leo Espinosa (Illustrator). Ages 4 to 8. Adoption Non-fiction. MCs are white gay men, the baby they adopt is Black. Loving illustrations help tell the story of how an infant abandoned in a NYC subway station was adopted by the man who found him and his partner.

Snapdragon by Leyh, Kat. Snapdragon. Ages 10 to 14. Fantasy. Haven’t read this one yet, so I can’t comment on its representation. Snap gets to know the town witch and discovers that she may in fact have real magic and a secret connection to Snap’s family’s past.

And here are the Top Ten Books for Teen Readers:

All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by Johnson, George M. Ages 14 to 18. Memoir. Author/MC is a gay Black man. “Memoir-manifesto” is a well-chosen label for this book, which relates stories from the author’s childhood and young adulthood and contextualizes them within a queer Black experience. Although the author’s family is loving and supportive, pervasive heteronormativity, queerphobia, and anti-Black racism threaten his mental, emotional, and physical safety.

Camp by Rosen, L.C. Ages 14 and up. Realistic Fiction. MC and his love interest are gay Jewish boys. For Randy, going away to Camp Outland is a breath of fresh air, a time to be exactly who Randy can’t always be at school. But this year will be different. This year, Randy won’t be the flamboyant theater kid, this year Randy will be exactly the type of bro Hudson would want to date. Changing a thing or too will be necessary for Randy to succeed, even if that means leaving some friends behind.

Cemetery Boys by Thomas, Aiden. Ages 13 and up. Paranormal/Romance. MC is a trans Latino, his love interest is a gay Latino. Yadriel accidentally summons the wrong ghost in an attempt to prove himself a real brujo to his family who struggle to accept his gender identity. Though he thinks he is summoning the ghost of his cousin, he actually summons the ghost of Julian Diaz, and finds himself with not one, but two, mysterious deaths to investigate.

Circus Rose by Cornwell, Betsy. Ages 12 and up. Fantasy. One MC is white and one is mixed-race, one is a lesbian and one is questioning. Ivory and Rosie are twins and half-sisters, born to a bearded woman who refused to choose between her lovers, and raised in their mother’s circus. After a long foreign tour, they come home to find themselves under attack by religious zealots. As tragedy follows tragedy, will Ivory be able to save her circus family?

Elatsoe by Little Badger, Darcie  and Rovina Cai (Illustrator). Ages 12 and up. Mystery. MC is an aro/ace Lipan Apache girl. In this OwnVoices novel, Elatsoe is on a mission to discover who killed her beloved cousin, and why. If not for her cousin, then she is doing this for her people, the Indigenous Lipan Apache tribe. Elatsoe has the ability to raise ghosts from the dead, a tradition that has been passed down through generations. On this journey it will take vulnerability, wit, and the legends of her people for Elatsoe to understand all that is hidden in the small town of Willowbee.

I’ll Be the One by Lee, Lyla. Ages 13 and up. Realistic Fiction. MC is a bi Korean-American girl, her love interest is a bi Korean boy. Skye Shin dreams of becoming the world’s first plus-sized K-pop star, and a reality TV competition may just be her chance. To win, she’ll have to deal with fatphobic beauty standards, fierce competition, and intense media scrutiny–as well as unexpected attraction to one of her competitors.

Miss Meteor by Mejia, Tehlor Kay and Anna-Marie McLemore. Ages 14 and up. Magical Realism. (I haven’t read this one, but I think both MCs are WLW Latinas.) Lita is a star – literally. After falling to earth several years ago, she’s now living life as a teenage girl. When the annual Miss Meteor pageant rolls around, Lita decides to enter – but will her ex-best friend Chicky be willing to help her? Will the pageant help her forget about the past and imagine a new future? Lita learns that winning isn’t about being perfect, it’s about showing your true self to the world – even the parts that no one else understands.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Johnson, Leah. Ages 12 and up. Realistic Fiction. MC is a black WLW (woman-loving-woman). In this affectionate rom-com, Liz Lighty finds herself an unlikely candidate for prom queen at her affluent suburban school. Shy, awkward, Black, and low-income, Liz has never felt like she belonged, and she can’t wait to leave for her dream college. But when her scholarship falls through, it seems her last resort is to win prom queen, and the scholarship money that comes with it. Liz’s plan is complicated when new girl Mack decides to run for prom queen also…and ends up running away with Liz’s heart.

War Girls by Onyebuchi, Tochi.  Ages 12 and up. Science Fiction/Afro-Futurism. Both MCs are Nigerian, one is a WLW. In a not-so-distant future, climate change and nuclear disasters have made much of the earth unlivable. In the midst of war in Nigeria, two sisters, Onyii and Ify, are torn apart and face two very different futures. As their lives progress through years of untold violence and political unrest, battles with deadly mechs and cyborg soldiers outfitted with artificial limbs and organs, they are brought together again and again and must come to terms with how the war has impacted their lives.

When We Were Magic by Gailey, Sarah. Ages 14 and up. Contemporary Fantasy. MC is a white bi/questioning girl with gay dads, her friends are racially, ethnically, and queerily diverse. This firecracker of a novel follows a group of friends who attempt to correct the accidental murder of a classmate. When We Were Magic combines magic, friendship, and awkward moments to create a captivating story. Each character brings their own uniqueness to the strong group of friends, but despite their differences, their loyalty remains. Author Sarah Gailey has written another page turning novel, with the quirky strange content to boot.

[twilightsagasworld]

Riley Biers x Plus-size Reader

Part 3

Part 2 ; Part 1

word count: 2371

Requested by @fyeahtaylorp​

“Carlisle, let me get this straight, Aro, one of the most dangerous vampires in the world,a maniac who has an obsession with power, recruited Riley Biers into his coven, and now Riley’s sent to what? Check up on my Daughter?!”

Bella was going off on poor Carlisle, but I didn’t blame her, I heard stories of the Volturi and the things they’ve done to people, and recently I’ve heard of the almost brawl between the Olympic coven and said Volturi, and how things had almost gotten messy if Alice and Jasper didn’t show up with the other hybrid in time. I hated to think about such terrible things, I never did like fighting of any kind, I tried to avoid it at all costs, I like to think of it as a type of self-preservation, but not completely.

A loud crash rang throughout the room. Great. Bella broke one of Esme’s vases. Edward promptly escorted Bella from the living room. Everyone else stood around awkwardly for a moment while Esme quickly cleaned the mess. Carlisle cleared his throat but Alice let out a small gasp and stared off into nothing. I was a bit on edge, I felt useless and weird to just stand in the living room waiting for nothing, so I plopped down onto a couch and twiddled my thumbs, “Alice” Jasper’s soft voice was almost inaudible as he whispered her name, his hand was on her waist where he caressed it gently. “It’s Riley..he left Italy”, who is Riley? I hadn’t heard anything about him, was he a friend of theirs? No, not if I was going off of Bella’s reaction, Carlisle then asked when he’d be here, “Tomorrow morning, just as the sun starts rising...But that’s all” she leaned more into Jasper, is Riley dangerous? A threat? I feel so confused. Rosalie’s voice sounded mocking when she spoke, “He’s just another one of the Volturi’s dirty dogs, why doesn’t Aro just come here himself?”, good point, Carlisle gave her an apprehensive look, “You know why Rosalie, Aro probably doesn’t think it’s necessary to come himself, he won’t waste his time with such things”, Rosalie scoffed, rolling her eyes, “Yeah right, he seemed pretty interested last time, but that’s not my business”, I knew Carlisle was trying to keep calm, “Last time was a totally different story, I believe you do remember” he didn’t wait for her to say something else, “Now, I think we should all try to relax a bit before tomorrow, go out, enjoy yourselves” with that said, he and Esme left through the balcony’s exit, probably to go hunting. Rosalie went her own way while Jasper and Emmett raced each other outside, most likely for a bear wrestling match again, and Alice, she bounced her way over to me, taking her place on the couch beside me. I raised a curious brow in her direction, “You’re awfully springy Alice”. She smiled, leaning in closer to me, she swept the room with her eyes before whispering, “I saw something else (y/n)”, oh, why would Alice be sharing this with me? She seemed to know what I was thinking, “It’s about you” “Me?” “Let me finish” I pouted, fine, Alice gripped my hands gently, her smile widening, “Do you know what a mate is?”, I nodded, Esme had told me not long after I was turned, “Well, your mate just so happens to be Riley...Isn’t it great!”.

“What” I didn’t believe my ears, I frowned , “Alice are you sure? Riley? RIley is my mate?”, she just simply nodded, “But don’t worry, he won’t hurt you (y/n), I’ve-” “Seen it, yeah, great, just great, my mate, who I know nothing about, just so happens to be working for a bunch of sicko vampire overlords who have a creepy obsession with Bella!  Oh how wonderful” my head slumped into my hands and I wish I could sigh, my heart would be pounding if it could. I felt Alice rub my back, “Hey, it’s going to work out just fine, you’ll see, but for now” she got up, “I have clothes to re-arrange” and she was gone, I stared after her, she’s just going to leave it there? I get nothing else? No other explanation? Great, yeah, I’m screwed. As much as I wanted to be happy, I couldn’t bring myself to embrace it, Edwardo and Bella are going to rip me a new one, and I didn’t even want to imagine Rosalie’s reaction. I hope everything turns out okay tomorrow. I really do.

Morning couldn’t have come any slower, I spent the whole night sitting on the couch, wandering about everything, no doubt Edward already knew what I knew, but he hadn’t said anything yet, I hope he doesn’t. At least not to Bella.

Everyone gathered around outside, it was very misty and no human would be able to see even 10 feet in front of them. Bella held Renesmee protectively behind herself, the scent of wet dog invaded my senses and I pulled my mouth into a sneer, I was familiar with this wolf’s scent, his name was Jacob, he came around nearly every day to spend time with Renesmee and I could see her smile when she noticed him. Jacob was in his wolf form and stood beside Bella, on her other side was Edward. Alice’s voice broke the silence in the air, “He’s here” , and there, not even 15 feet from me, appeared Riley. I took in Riley’s appearance, he was very attractive, lean but built, like Jasper. He looked wet, did he swim here? From Italy? 

“Long time no see, Riley” Edward said, he seemed slightly uncomfortable, Bella looked like she was about to attack at any moment and I just stood beside Emmett shuffling my feet. Riley shrugged, his eyes swept over us, lingering on me for a moment, I felt a tug in my mind, I wanted to be near him, Riley’s face scrunched up in confusion for a moment, he must’ve felt it too, but he shook his head before speaking, “I won’t say I’m happy about it Cullen, but you know why I’m here, where’s the girl” , Jacob stepped forward with a snarl and a loud hiss was shot at him, everyone’s heads turned to me, and I knew that sound was created by me, “Sorry, I don’t know what happened” I said it so soft, it would’ve been missed by any human ears. Emmett let out a whistle but Rosalie shot him a look which shut him up, Carlisle stepped forward and gained everyone’s attention, I felt stupid and embarrassed, “It’s alright (y/n), I’ll explain later,but for now, Bella, if you please” Carlisle held out his hand to Renesmee, and Bella grudgingly stepped out of the way to let her daughter pass, Riley caught my eye for a second before he turned his gaze to Renesmee, he walked forward, not at all bothered by Jacob’s low growl, and he knelt down in front of her, he looked her over, she was a head taller than him now, “How much longer before she’s fully mature?”, Bella answered, “Three years”, Renesmee looked about fifteen , Riley nodded, “Her diet so far? How has her hunger and thirst been?”, “She feeds more on animals than human food, she’s had no problems switching between the two and her thirst is under control” another nod from Riley. I watched Renesmee closely,  she seemed perfectly comfortable with Riley, I wonder why. 

I think everyone found it weird when she all of a sudden placed her hand on RIley’s cheek, Riley flinched back, causing Jacob to become aggrivated and step forward, this caused me step forward as well, “Back off dog” I let out a growl, even in his wolf form I could notice the sudden taken aback look, “Jacob, (y/n), back off and calm down” Carlisle turned to Riley who was watching me, I huffed and did as I was told, but kept my eyes on Jacob, “Riley, don’t worry, it’s how Renesmee communicates, through physical touch”, Riley gave a slow cautious move forward again, “...Alright...”, Renesmee gave him a small smile before placing her hand on his cheek, Riley froze the instant her hand made contact with his skin, she must be talking to him, or showing him her memories, I don’t know how her abilities work honestly, I don’t think I ever will.  

The tension in the air seemed to fade slightly when Renesmee pulled her hand away and Riley stood up and...Laughed? What? Bella shot forward and pinned Riley to a tree by his neck, “What’s so funny?!” Riley never got a chance to answer because I tackled Bella to the ground the next instant, “Don’t..Touch..him” I don’t know what came over me, was it the pull form earlier? Or was it because Riley is supposed to be my mate? I felt a wave of calm wash over me and two pairs of arms pull me up and away from Bella, I looked at Jasper, who was holding my right arm, he nodded his head, “Easy there” , i looked to my left to see Emmett who gave me a knowing smirk, I scoffed, “Go eat shi-” “”That’s enough, I believe we can discuss this inside, if you would” Carlisle motioned for Riley to follow him into the house, Edward had helped Bella up and they were already inside as well as Alice, Rosalie and Esme. Emmett told Jasper to head on in while he talked to me. Emmett crossed his arms, wiggling his eyebrows, “So, you found yourself a mate” I nodded, Emmett let out a laugh and ruffled my hair, “That’s awesome (y/n)!” I brushed his hands away, “No, Emmett! Bella’s going to rip me a new one!” Emmett shrugged, “Nah, she’ll get over it, she has to eventually” Emmett pulled me inside, I wish I was as carefree as him.

Inside, Carlisle was already explaining some things to Riley, I held my distance and chose to sit on the kitchen counter instead, everyone was scattered between the living area and the kitchen. “...We’ll give you some privacy, but don’t try anything”. Riley appeared in the kitchen. It was only the two of us now. Yay. Neither of us said a word, we just stared at each other, we were both probably taking everything in from what happened inside. It was I who broke the sience, “So,uhm, Riley...You swam here?” Riley raised a brow, “Yeah, I guess, it’s the fastest way here from Italy” I nodded biting my lip, “So...(y/n)...You liking the weather?”, I chuckled, “You’re asking me about the weather?” , Riley offered a small smile, “Yeah, I guess I am”, I shake my head and look out the large window before looking back at him, “I prefer the cold rainy days above the heat, of course I can’t really be affected by it either way now, but you catch my drift...” I hope., Riley took a tentative step forward and I hopped off the counter, we were two feet apart now, Riley stood a head taller than me, “How did you end up with the Volturi? If you don’t mind me asking”, he explained that after the battle with Victoria and the newborn Army, Edward had spared his life and Riley spent one year in hiding from anyone, but the Volturi had discovered his scent and had tracked him down, at first they were going to kill him, but Aro was intrigued by his ability to sense whether someone was lying to him, so he asked Riley to join his coven in Italy, and now, a month later, here he was, in the house of his newfly found mate and running errands for the Volturi.

It was long since past noon and the sky was darkening, Riley and I had gotton on great after the initial awkwardness faded, and turns out we had a lot in common.  Riley had asked me what it was with the whole golden eye thing and I explained to him that it was as a result of the animal diet we were all on, Riley found it interesting since all he’s known was human blood, but I offered to take him out hunting later that night, and then he could experience it himself, he agreed and we talked some more. I learnt that he was turned at nineteen and he was manipulated by Victoria to create a newborn army, but recently he’s been taking his vampire life easy, he didn’t hate anyone, but he did really miss his parents, and he knows he can’t visit them because they think he’s dead and Aro would kill them. In turn I shared my story with him, and he was pleased to know I was only a year younger than him, well, used to be a year younger in human terms anyway. We were generally just really enjoying the other’s company and we never left the each other’s side at all. 

But the next morning Riley had to leave, I felt dour, I just met my mate, and now he was already being taken away from me. It seemed unfair, but I didn’t let it show on my face, but that didn’t keep Edward fro reading my thoughts and shooting me glares which I kindly returned, he’s such a stupid shiny volvo owner. 

It wasn’t raining today, which was great since it wouldn’t be intensifying the stench that was Jacob Black, he was in his human form today. I had apologised to him last night about almost attacking him and he was fine with it, I hadn’t apologised to Bella yet though. 

Everyone was once again outside, Carlisle had written a note for Riley to give to Aro, it was details about Renesmee. Bella and Edward didn’t really say much, but Bella did say sorry to Riley for basically strangling him which he accepted. I hugged him, we were the perfect fit for each other. “Goodbye for now Riley, I hope we see each other soon”,Riley held up his hand and stuck out his pinky while he smirked, “Pinky promise” I grinned, interlocking our pinky fingers, “Pinky promise” 

And then he was gone. 

[goblinsneversaydie]

can we talk about renesmee?

this has been bugging me for a while and i don’t see a lot of posts about it, which frustrates me to no end.

renesmee was created solely so jacob could get a happy ending, and that’s disgusting. from someone who was sexually abused as a child, i can’t sit and watch the breaking dawn movies without skipping over every single scene that involves jacob ‘babysitting’ or being near baby renesmee because it’s just too uncomfortable for me. and i have no idea how hollywood or publishers let that plot line go.

maybe to some, the idea of your ‘true love’ being your first love and waiting for someone is romantic, but not when it’s a child and a full grown adult. renesmee is a baby, no matter how fast she grows, she’s a literal child and to make matters worse, is being groomed into loving only jacob romantically from a young age by the ‘power’ of imprinting. she never got a choice when it came to love interests, because really, if jacob hadn’t imprinted on her as a baby, would she still grow up to be ‘in love’ with him? probably not. and to make matters worse, jacob is always around her as a child, always with her. do any of the cullens find this unsettling at all? rosalie, a survivor of a brutal sexual assault, shows no concern throughout the movie. edward cullen, the father of this baby, is perfectly fine with the plan to have jacob run away with her if all else fails. even bella, after the initial ‘fight’ scene, seems to have let it go, for the most part. carlisle, esme, jasper, emmett, alice...nobody shows signs of concern when it comes to this ‘bond’, (i will be damned before i call it a relationship.) of sorts. now, i’m not saying that they should be concerned about jacob abusing this privilege in anyway, i personally don’t think that jacob would ever do anything to harm renesmee especially as a child. but it’s still concerning when you realize, that this grown man will one day find this chid sexually attractive and is just waiting until she’s (hopefully, but i wouldn’t doubt if they allowed a relationship earlier) eighteen to start a romantic and intimate relationship.

not only that, but renesmee’s excuse of “being part vampire so she grows faster” is obviously just so nobody finds this revolting. and this trait makes her a tragic character, if you think about it, because renesmee will never have a ‘normal’ childhood. by the end of the movies, she’s already around 8-9 years old physically, meaning that, she’s already missed out on half of her schooling and hasn’t been able to socialize with any children her age. she grew up too fast to enjoy cartoons, dolls, imaginary friends and every other joy that comes with a childhood. that is, if we’re to assume that she continues to age like that after the movies have ended. to make matters worse, even her mental age seems to be progressing at a concerning degree, she’s obviously very wise for a kid her age, being able to approach aro with calmness and grace. not too mention, all of this mental progression has happened during a time of war. she practically grew up watching people spar and talk of plans to destroy the volturi, whilst also knowing full well that the volturi are after her. imagine, all of the necessary growth that happens in your childhood years, happening with all of this going on.

she’ll also never experience what other people get to, most likely. growing so fast, elementary school and middle school are out of the question. she’ll never know what it’s like to have a shy boy ask her to dance at a school formal, or what it’s like to make friends on the playground and the excitement that comes with class pets, ice cream days, girl scouts ect... she’ll never get to a point and be able to figure her sexuality out on her own, or find out what she likes in people and doesn’t like. because everything has been programmed to be jacob by that point. she’ll never get to feel the butterflies of that one person asking her to homecoming or the nauseating but beautiful nerves that come with a first date, because she’s known jacob all her life, so why be nervous to begin with? and why say yes to the boy with the sweet smile asking you to homecoming, when you’re programmed to believe that it’ll ‘break jake’s heart’? she’ll never get to make friends the same way we do, because there’s that caution that comes with being half vampire. and who knows if she’ll even be able too, seeing as her age progression makes it hard for her to stay at one solid age for too long?

she’ll experience everything that we do in eighteen years, in what? five? six? seven? that, to me, is heartbreaking. even if she’s just a character, we’re meant to feel for them and to care about them, and yet, all i’ve ever felt for her was pity. pity for a childhood that she’ll never get to have. pity for milestones that she’ll never get to experience. pity for the choice and freedom that was stripped from her before she was even able to know what those things are. she was branded an imprint before she could develop a personality, morals, standards. before she could develop her orientation and decide what she wanted for herself. all because smeyer wanted to give jake a happy ending. but what about nessie’s? would this girl want any of this, if she were old enough to understand and WASN’T bound to him by imprint? we all know that she won’t ever have a choice in the matter, because now it’s either, be with jake or suffer with depression and a slowly deteriorating health (if imprinting is the same as a vampires’ mate bond, which we were lead to believe) like bella once had. which will be even harder on her because she was always with jake growing up. it wasn’t a short time period like bella and edward, it was her entire life, so who’s to say separation wouldn’t be worse on her?

all in all, renesemee is the saddest character in twilight, simply because she never had a choice.

[sage-nebula]

i know you don't ship it but do you think mairin could have a crush on alain? it seemed that way to me she did when i watched the xy anime

Yeah, I think reading Manon as having a precocious crush on Alan is a valid read given certain behaviors of hers in canon, from how she stalks him to how she clings to his arm in the group photo in the end, to how she latches onto his arm to pull him into dancing with her at that showcase celebration. I don’t think her “you’re exactly my type!” line in TSME 1 was meant in a romantic way, and it’s notable that she did not blush at all when she told Lysandre that she wasn’t Alan’s girlfriend in TSME 2, since PokéAni usually has characters who do have crushes blush when they make denials (e.g. Misty when Daisy told her to “pick a cuter kid” in “The Waterflowers of Ceruelan City” and both Ash and Misty when Team Rocket joked about them ditching Brock to elope in “A Scare in the Air”). But even so, I think that if someone wanted to say that Manon had a precocious crush on Alan, they could still make their case, particularly with all of the literal clinging she does at the end of the series.

But with all that said, Manon having a precocious crush isn’t an issue. Lots of kids get precocious crushes on people older than them; it’s a part of growing up for people who aren’t on the aro/ace spectrum. Heck, in the OS Misty got a crush on Danny in the Orange Islands, and he was a whole ass adult. It happens. What would be an issue is if Alan returned feelings for Manon, because he’s absolutely too old for her. Thankfully, there is absolutely nothing in canon to suggest Alan’s feelings for Manon are anything but platonic, so his character remains untarnished and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. (And yes, I do mean it when I say there’s nothing in canon to suggest that Alan is a creep who cares for Manon in anything but a platonic way. Manon is one of Alan’s precious people, yes, but she’s grouped in with Professor Sycamore, who is Alan’s father-figure. Sliding Manon in there with them to make a little family unit makes Manon like a little sister to Alan, something that’s strengthened even more in that very dancing scene by having Bonnie tugging on Sycamore to get him to dance with her. Alan’s precious people are his family; there’s nothing romantic about it and it was pretty smart on the writers’ part to make sure that Sycamore’s importance was there from the get-go, so that no creepiness could be attributed to Alan’s feelings.)

So yes, Manon might have a precocious crush, but Alan definitely doesn’t return it, and couldn’t without being a disgusting creep. He’s flat out too old for her. While he’s not an adult, as a 15 year old he’s no longer in Manon’s age demographic (especially since Manon is written as even younger than the 10 she’s supposed to be, but that’s a different discussion). At their current ages, she would be in elementary school while he’d be a couple years shy of graduating high school. She’d be in junior high when he’d be in college. He could finish a master’s degree before she even graduates high school. They’re at different stages in their lives and while it’s understandable that Manon could have a precocious crush on a cool older boy who looks out for and protects her, it would be creepy, weird, and gross if said older boy looked at a vulnerable little girl and had a crush right back. Again, thankfully that isn’t the case here.

And while you might argue, “Well, eventually they’ll be adults!” that argument doesn’t work here because they remain in each other’s lives. Even if the series had ended differently and Alan had stayed home to rest and recover a while before heading out again while Manon resumed her journey by herself, I think most would agree with me that they’d still talk on the phone regularly, she’d come back by the lab to visit, they might take a trip somewhere together a couple months down the road, et cetera. And because they’d remain in each other’s lives, not only would Alan absolutely have an influence in how Manon grows (not to the point where it’d be considered raising her, of course, but she clearly looks up to him a great deal and takes his words to heart), but he’s also never going to be able to stop seeing her as a kid. You never notice just how much someone grows when you see them all the time; it’s like the years aren’t really passing at all. What would seem like a drastic change to someone who doesn’t see that person all the time won’t even register in your brain. And what this means is that the fundamental foundation of their relationship isn’t going to change, especially since that foundation was formed during such formative years (and during such a formative time) in their lives. Even when they’re both adults and Manon is perfectly capable of taking care of herself, to Alan, she’ll still be his kid sister. Sure, consciously he’ll know she’s an adult, but that won’t change how he feels. It’s like how loving parents view their kids as their babies still even after said kids are well into adulthood. It’s how I know that my nephew has graduated high school, but he’s still a baby to me. It’s just how the human brain works.

So while a time skip romance could work for say, Dawn and Cilan, since they only met each other once and for a very brief period and then (as far as we know) never spoke again after that, it can’t work for Alan and Manon, because Alan and Manon remain as constant presences in each other’s lives. If they parted ways at the end of XY&Z and then never exchanged a single word for the next 20 years after that, then while I still personally wouldn’t like it, at least it wouldn’t be creepy anymore. But since we can all agree that is very much not the case, a romance between them absolutely would be creepy and would make Alan look very, very bad. Again, though, we can thank all our lucky stars that isn’t the case and that Alan’s feelings for Manon were shown to be platonic through and through. (Also, no, I don’t ship Dawn and Cilan, they were just the first 10 & 15 match I thought of wherein they met very briefly then never again afterward. Clemont and Cilan could also be used as an example, or Sophocles and Brock, etc.)

As a final note, if Manon did have a precocious crush on Alan and it came out in some way (either through her directly confessing, or maybe she tries to claim Alan as her boyfriend to someone and he overhears, etc), then while Alan is a very direct and honest person, I do think that he would let her down gently, and that it would actually be similar to how Wendy let Dipper down in Gravity Falls. Even the age difference is similar there, with the exception that while Wendy is the same age as Alan (15), Dipper is actually a little older than Manon (12). But I imagine the conversation would be very similar. He’s too old for her, but she still means a lot to him and always will, and he might even throw in how he views her as his family and how much that means to him since family was all he ever wanted as a kid. And while Manon might still be sad for a little while at first, I think seeing how much she sincerely means to Alan would help ease that, and eventually she’d grow up, move past her crush, and they’d be the dynamic siblings they were always meant to be.

And as a bonus: while Alan wouldn’t be one to give shovel talks because he doesn’t like to interfere in other people’s personal lives, he also doesn’t have to open his mouth to be intimidating and neither does Lizardon. I don’t think Manon would have to worry about any potential future partners hurting her. I’m pretty sure they would be way too scared to once they learned who her big brother was, even if he didn’t say anything to them at all. 

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

What if Bella and Renata changed places in the story? What would change?

... You sure you want me to answer that?

This, my friend, is the path to the heart of darkness.

First, for my sanity’s sake, when you say switch places I’m assuming that things like genetics/gifts are staying intact.

This is a meta to be written, but at least on some level, while gifts are informed by genetics they also are informed by what you need. Jane and Alec point to this as well as surviving vampires whose gifts were curiously helpful. Of course, there’s something to be said that perhaps this is survivor bias. The ones with helpful gifts survive because Afton was murdered. And there’s something to be said for that, and I do think that comes into play, but in a different meta.

RIGHT

What Happens to Bella

Bella is molested if not raped by her Uncle Luca.

Bella is groomed from... some point that’s worryingly early in her life, to be turned into a vampire when she’s an adult. Given Renata’s story and her gift, given Makenna’s centuries later, it’s highly likely that Uncle Luca rather than making a fellow “protector” of the family is taking tithes in the form of daughters to become his brides for a time.

And when I say highly likely I mean I can think of no other explanation where everything in the backstory lines up so neatly.

Renata’s saved from rape and molestation thanks to her gift. Bella’s gift is extremely powerful and versatile as well, however, while it does change to suit her needs it seems to rely heavily on precognition and mental protection. In canon, having Renata’s abilities would have made Bella untouchable by James, Victoria, and Laurent. Instead, she gets warnings through Hallucination Edward and precognitive dreams or else is able to shield herself entirely mentally.

As a result, I imagine Bella would have terrifying prophetic dreams growing up, in which Uncle Luca, the patron saint of the family that no one has ever seen, turns out to be a flesh eating demon who rapes her. She might even have a Hallucination Edward equivalent who tells her to GET THE FUCK OUT.

Bella is reassured by her entire family that everything is fine, Luca’s the family protector and certainly not a demon, and that Bella joining him when she turns 20 will be a wonderful thing.

As a result, Bella probably grows up a neurotic mess, probably just as isolated if not more so than she was in canon.

And then it’s too late.

As Luca’s pulling the same stunt he did in canon, I imagine the Volturi eventually show up. Bella is offered the same out she was in canon and, like Renata, I imagine she takes it desperately.

Only, given everything, she likely doesn’t have the same attachment to the family that Renata did. I imagine as a survivor of sexual assault who was sold off by her family, however unwillingly they did so or however much they were hoodwinked, that she wouldn’t know what to think of them. Not for a very long time, anyway. So, I imagine in this universe, Uncle Luca and all the humans who knew of him die. 

Renata not existing, Bella is taken on as a bodyguard, and is a pretty good deal. She’s not Renata, who is the best bodyguard anyone could wish for, but she shields well from mental attacks and they can have someone like Felix be the muscle where appropriate. In this world, Aro probably actually would have some eventual use for Alice, as she could support Bella in predicting any direct attacks on at least the Volturi coven (Aro, Caius, Marcus, and the wives).

Bella is a mess for a very very very long time. While I like to think eventually she’ll recover, I can’t tell you what this would be. I think Bella would be extremely hesitant to ever take a lover or get married, and would instead devote herself to Aro’s protection with at least Renata’s zeal if not more so.

What Happens to Renata

For the sake of my sanity, to truly put Renata in Bella’s place, I’m imagining she’s Edward’s singer. You’re not living the Bella experience if you don’t have to deal with Edward.

Renata, in 2005 for reasons unknown, moves to Forks to live with her estranged father Charlie. 

Renata attends Biology that first day of school where she’s very nearly eaten by Edward. Only, instead of Edward not being able to read her mind, he finds himself unable to get close to her. He can’t sit at her table, her gift sends him wandering in a drunken daze across the room and into the wall.

Edward is very confused, utterly humiliated, but he has no idea what’s happened. Part of Renata’s gift is that you don’t realize you’ve been deflected. You just suddenly find yourself not having approached Renata like you expected.

Edward probably tries to return to his seat, holding his breath, and thinking of Carlisle’s beautiful face (he seriously does this in canon). However, he’s unable to that time either, and this time Renata probably pushes him out of the room entirely.

Edward congratulates himself for unconsciously resisting temptation in the classroom (which would have been very bad and required his brutal murder of all the witnesses).

He’ll eat her after school.

Much like canon, Edward upon leaving school is probably able to clear his head enough to realize he does not have to eat Renata Swan. So he flees the state, lives with the Denali for the two days it takes to get sick of them, and comes back.

And here’s where things get... bad.

Presumably, Renata does not struggle with depression the way Bella does. Terrible things happened to her in canon, and it’s true we know very little about her, but for all she shadows Aro she doesn’t seem to give off those same depressed vibes Bella does.

Renata also, presumably, does not have the weird genetic quirk Bella does where she finds vampires a) not terrifying at all b) omg hawt.

Most people in canon, when they look at a vampire, see something that’s hauntingly beautiful but also wrong. Vampires are fucking scary looking. Even at their gentlest, they do not look right. Bella’s just... into that.

So, unlike canon, the second Biology class Renata looks at Edward in complete terror and Edward can read every thought through Renata’s mind that he tried to eat her. Edward has a complete existential crisis over this as Renata was witness to his most demonic side that he loathes.

Edward will never be with Renata the way he was with Bella because of this. Part of what appeals to him about Bella is that he can a) project a persona of his choosing onto her while thinking he knows her well b) she’s this angelic creature who sees the best in demons. Renata sees demons and sees demons.

Biology is awkward and terrible, Renata probably desperately thinks about switching seats, but doesn’t want anyone to sit next to Edward the demon. 

Then the truck happens.

Much like Bella, Edward saves Renata’s life (and I headcanon that Renata’s gift actually allows for this due to the imminent danger coming from a truck rather than a person). Only, this time, there’s no excuse that he was secretly doing it for love, he’s doing it for that sweet sweet blood.

Renata is taken to the hospital, she’s seen everything, and Edward can see every thought in her head where she absolutely knows Edward Cullen is not a human being.

The family has their vote, only this time, it goes differently.

Renata would never let Alice play Barbie Bella, and thus, Alice does not see Renata as her future best friend forever. Nor does she see Renata becoming Edward’s future lover and mate.

However, Alice still votes no, because it’s not going to work. None of them are going to be able to murder Renata.

Edward is conflicted and votes no, but doesn’t have the reassurance that it’s because he’s in love, it’s secretly because he wants to eat her. He’s not admitting that to himself yet.

As in canon, Carlisle tries to think well of his ridiculous family, and tells Rosalie, “No, Rosalie, killing a teenage girl because you don’t want to move high schools is bad.”

Jasper thinks carefully about this, and tries to devise different schemes to kill Renata and gauge Alice’s opinion. Unlike in canon, he’s not given the two certain futures: Edward will eat Bella or Edward will turn Bella.

Jasper eventually decides to lace Renata’s house with explosives and, when she’s home (preferably if she’s alone but he’s alright with Charlie Swan as collateral damage) blow the place up from a distance.

Alice saw this succeeding, unfortunately, Edward and Emmett make a few decisions.

Jasper is blowing up a motherfucking house. The police chief’s house no less. This is the coolest thing the family has ever done. That Rosalie approves, while not saying as much out loud due to her abiding by Carlisle’s decision, makes this even better. Emmett wants involved, desperately, Jasper gives him some small task that he fucks up.

The wiring is done incorrectly, the bomb will never detonate.

Edward is now in full protector of the women and children (and blood bags) mode and plans to counter Jasper’s attack and confronts him and Emmett. They have the all out brawl that Alice saw in canon.

Renata wakes up in the middle of the night to find the family of demons fist fighting each other outside her house, having wired her house to explode. They have now gone past the point of no return, in a sense, where in canon Bella had had a car accident and would in time remember this as a very strange incident in her life, now the vampires have tried to blow up her house.

I imagine things continue to escalate as the witness now really has to be murdered. They fail every time, Renata lives in a paranoid hell where she can’t tell anyone that every night demons come to murder her in her bedroom.

Carlisle is appalled by everyone and eventually tells Renata the truth and offers her immortality.

[imaginebabygurl]

Feeling Good Part 3 F.V-Imagine

Hey loves, since I had not posted in a bit This is gonna be a really long one I hope you enjoy the read and music that has been attached. P.s - sorry for any spelling mistakes it should still be a good read.

There were angry hisses and growls from Jacob and your family.  Edward's face grew cold with great concern for you: Bella started to panic "no, No!. There Not taking Her anywhere and she's not going to stay with those monster!... Wh-What if they Kill her because of the last time With Renesmee." " She's leaving, she can't stay here, I won't let them take her. She's going to live with my mom in Jacksonville". As Bella frantically tries to pack her things, Edward stops her "Bella", you know that's not going to work.  They have a tracker Demetri. They could easily find her, your mother, and Phil and Kill all three of them instantly. There's no point in putting others in danger." Carlisle spoke, " Edward is right, we just all need to be calm and there old friends of mine, they will come we'll have the meeting and clear the air, but we should also prepare they can be unpredictable." With that said, your mom still packed a small bag with your stuff just in case everyone started being more alert and wary of their surrounding. As for you. You had to start coming home earlier and stay out late less, which put a damper on your senior your but you didn't mind because you still thankfully have the chance, to even see and hang out with your friends. And coming home earlier wasn't such a bad idea since now it was November 1st, winter was approaching fast, and it started to get darker quicker. But that also meant the Volturi were on there a way you didn't know when exactly. And on the first week of December, they arrived, you were at school when they had come, and you had a group project to complete, which was already completed: you just stayed back at school to finalize the presentation of the slide show and sort out who did what in your project. You said bye to your girlfriend's Lily, Dee, and Kiki and told them: you'll see them when you've returned because you were going on a getaway trip just for the weekend with you and your sister only. Arriving home, you see a strange set of vampires with crimson red eyes. Anyone that saw them would be a fool to think they were normal or contact lenses. They all waited for you to step into the house,  soon as you turned to close the door behind you, you felt a presence standing quite close smelling you.  Remembering that they drank human blood while the Cullen's settled only for animals. "ahh...delicious." the voice quietly whispered into your ear. Quickly turning around facing them, but by the time you had done so, the vampire retreaded standing next to the other kings, the one that had spoken was Aro. The three were quite beautiful, you could tell who wash who and their personality: Aro with life in his eyes was the main king out of the three yes hey shared the same power, but he was the head and looking at you wildly with gleaming eyes. Next on his left was a bored and a perpetually sad-looking man, looking as if he had a sense of longing to end his miserable life and has seen the many secrets and mysteries of the world ad is not tired. On the right was Caius, the pure blond-haired man, which his hair was better than your aunt Rosalie's, not a single strand astray but put together and looked as if every strand is from silk. But his expression filled with such disdain you had never seen such a face, not even when Rosy disapproved of Bella and Edward taking you in the first place she grew to like you and became your second or third mother. As for the guards, you recognized every last one of them: Demetri, the world's best tracker no know can hide from him, then there were the twins' Jane and Alec, Jane could make others feel pain while her brother could take away peoples sense completely, and finally the man towering an over everybody else next to Demetri was Felix, and he was beautiful, and I couldn't resist him. I knew deep down he was most likely the killer of my parents only following orders.  I regained my composure and said "hello" anyway. Aro then grabbed my hand without hesitation and began to look through all the memories that I had lived through, "Interesting, you've had quite the bittersweet life." all the while, Aro still looking intensely into my Y/e/c colored eyes.  Pulling away completely and turning to look at my parents, "She'll be coming with us now." " She Won't be going anywhere!" my mother said while whirling me behind her back, not even realizing. But my body was feeling the after effect.  My dad Edward in front now in front of both of us. Aro looked at Felix, and Felix stared approaching, smiled,  "Edward seems like you've come back for round two."  Hisses were erupting from the room before Esme stepped in." please not in the house. I'm sure there must be some mistake. Y/n has done nothing wrong and she will be turned, in due time when its right Carlisle will take care of her." " Yes I already have the preparations in place Aro" and unexpectedly a "No!" had come from Felix. Aro looked at Felix and took his hand. Felix obeyed,  when Aro was done he laughed like a maniac and turn to me, repeating what he said earlier, " interesting." With everyone in the room at that point confused as to what was going on. I  spoke,  "What so interesting? and why do you keep saying that?" by this point, I was incredibly annoyed.   I just wanted to eat, " I'm going to the kitchen, I'm hungry and this whole dramatic crap, I'm over it." Walking away.  Nessie had made my favorite chicken parmesan with some pasta and salad.  Setting my plate down on the table, everyone was staring at me, but I ignored the burning stare put in my earphones. One of the King's Marcus taps me on the shoulder,  "May I join you?". I paused for a while unsure of what to say and he followed up the silence by saying "I had already drunk so, I won't bite."  Marcus offering me what appears to be a sympathetic smile on a sad-faced man. It was kind of nice to see him smile, " sure." I said plainly and he motioned everyone for us to be alone.  Everyone left, but the tall one hesitated to leave, which then Marcus said" Felix, she will be alright, I promise." The man only nodded and took his leave, "why is he so concerned about me? and what does he have to do with me?". Marcus replied, "Y/n your his mate." the man said point-blank. I looked at him as if he were mad, and he knew what I was thinking. He followed up by saying, " I know you're upset about the death of your parentings, and yes, he was a part of the cause that they're dead. But he simply follows orders if not he will suffer the consequences or maybe a fate worse." "Death." was all I said and a yes was retorted back at me. We sat in silence so I could digest what I have just learned. That the man that I'm supposed to be with: one was my lover and two a part of my parent's death. It was all too much for me to bear and, I ran away as fast as could I ended up taking a nasty fall down a hill and didn't remember a thing about my parent or how they died. All I knew was I falling for a man, I barely knew and I would soon come to know that he sweet but very flirtatious and that would one day get him into trouble and possibly lose all he had with me. He would flirt with everyone including my mother but she doesn't even realize and honestly, at first, I thought okay haha, but when I did decide to leave after graduation to be with him at the castle in Volterra. I was amazed and in awe of the building and come to realize that the rules they enforce I understand but the way they go about it is a little brutal but overall understanding, anyway back to Felix. That's when the boredom started to kick in, after that Felix was on missions constantly and flirting with every dead and living girl that was in sight but the living ones usually became the snack afterward.  it finally came tumbling down when we had a big fight. I was going about my business touring and sightseeing parts of the city I have never been to, one because my Italian wasn't that great and two I was scared being on my own, but boy when I started to speak a bit more fluently be able to get around on my own the sight and places, as well as the delicious pastries and goodies I got to eat, was great. The day was great until Felix angrily approached me, I swear if he still had life in his body his face would be mad with furry, practically dragging me by my wrist and how I know he was angry, Gianna said hello and he did not even bat an eye in her direction and with that, she tried to ask "Hey! Y/n what happened?" and before I can respond Felix picked me up and threw me over his shoulders. "Felix!!!" I shouted because at this point I was angry he was acting like this and he picked me up and headed to the throne room. Aro had looked at me and said "Y/n dove eri?" I responded, "Aro in un Citta in un Caffe". Felix then responded, " If you were in town at one of the cafes!, Why didn't you say anything! or tell someone when you left!". "I did if you had gone into the room to look Smartass! You would have seen It!".  and then the line was drawn " What kind of Girl are you!, You so free-willed, careless, would it kill you to use your head Y/n!?!, you could have been Kill or hurt by some low life!". "But I was-. before I could speak Felix pinned me to the wall and I then felt true fear of what others fate that had suffered at the hand of the great Felix Volturi and worst of all the thing that hurt the most " Y/n we should have killed you when we had the chance, like your mother and father!!." him not realizing what he said "Felix!!!" Aro called "put down the girl, she's terrified...". Once Felix snapped out of it "Y/n I'm sorry." But before he could touch you, you slapped his hand away and made your decision to leave but Caius spoke "What you did and said to Y/n was distasteful and I don't care for humans all the much, but I think some time in the dungeon would do you some good." Without Felix saying anything he simply nodded and took himself in and before he would have come to know you had already packed your things to go home.

[siarven]

WIP Introduction: Hope Beyond

✿ Magical Realism | Hope Punk ✿ mixed-media story ✿ 3 POV characters ⇢ 3 types of chapters (limited perspective)  ✿ comic, novel (3rd person), diary entries (1st person) ✿ currently in the planning stage; to be started during Inktober and NaNoWriMo ✿ standalone, webseries/webcomic which I will update weekly once it gets rolling :3

WIP Page | Tag | Pinterest Board | Wordpress | Tumblr

Hope Beyond is about a young imaginative girl, her (adoptive) book-and-cats-loving sister, and their next-door neighbor, a veteran who loves to paint with Bob Ross. It’s a story about recovery and letting yourself heal, working through your trauma, and making the world a better place through kindness and compassion. (Because I need more stories like that ;W;)

After ten years on life support, ALIA’s awakening and subsequent (impossible) recovery are nothing short of a miracle. The problem? Lia’s family is dead. Her adoptive parents died in the car crash that nearly killed her, too, back when she was only nine. The only one she has left is Morgan, the adoptive sister she only knows from stories and pictures, who ran away from home and cut off all contact before Lia even got adopted. But all that doesn’t matter, because Lia has returned with a quest: To make the world a better place, one person at a time. Morgan will be the first, even if she doesn’t know it yet. (Good thing that Lia has Rhisíl, then, her Guardian snake from the dreamworld she spent the past ten years in...)

After watching Lia recover in less than half a year, MORGAN decides that this is obviously a sign. So she packs their things, quits her teaching position in the city, and moves out to the countryside with Lia and all 5 of her cats… to give this thing called “family” another shot, even if it’s a bit more unconventional this time around. Lia needs help if she’s ever going to fit into society, and (even if Morgan won’t let herself see it), she herself needs help, too. There’s a lot of built-up pain, rage, and guilt to work through, after all. 

It doesn’t take long to befriend their equally new next-door neighbor, a veteran in her late forties named PHAEDRA, who recently lost everything (including her job and a leg), and who is in desperate need of friends. Even if they come in the form of a strangely endearing, bouncy teen who behaves like a little kid and sees magical creatures everywhere, and a young bookworm/crazy cat lady, who is overwhelmed by suddenly having a child to take care of.  Actually, these two might be perfect. 

Sometimes a family is three weird women who have all been through hell. And five cats. And a huge (possibly imaginary) flying snake made of interlocking branches that only one of them can see. ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

I’m SO! EXCITED! about this project and plan on starting with the art and the writing during Inktober and NaNoWriMo this year, as a sort of intense marathon session :’D Let’s see how that works out! also someone plz kill me why am I making another wip

About the POV characters:

ALIA NYX. COMIC. She sees the darkness in the world, but chooses to focus on the light and magic. She’s an optimistic ray of sunshine and suppresses all bad memories aggressively. She also sees creatures everywhere, because she’s brought the dream realm she created during her coma with her. Internally, she’s still 9, so that’s how she looks in her comics. (She’ll age slowly over the course of the story as she learns to deal with her trauma, until she reaches her actual physical age). Bby :’3

MORGAN. NOVEL. 3rd person. She’s aro-ace and until recently lived together with only five cats and a ton of books. She ran away from home when she was 16 after some bad encounters with her parents, and managed to become a teacher through a photographic memory, working several jobs, having somewhat understanding grandparents, and a general love for knowledge and teaching. She consists mostly of coffee, spite, guilt, and rage. She also doesn’t trust people. I love her so much

PHAEDRA. DIARY ENTRIES. 1st person. She joined the army after school, a decision influenced and supported by her family. She enjoyed the comradery (and the training, if not the fighting) so she stayed... until a year ago, when her whole platoon got blown up, she lost her leg, and was sent home. Disillusioned with the past, the army, and war in general, she’s finally moved as far away from her family as she could, hoping to start a new life somewhere else. Nowadays, she spends most her time painting because she watched Bob Ross on youtube and decided that it was the perfect therapy. (Her therapist agrees). Happy little clouds all the way. :’))))

If you want to be tagged in future posts, please tell me <3 tagging some of the usual peeps to get this rolling:

@madmoonink @wilde-writing @prismalicht @sincerestaffect @romenna @paper-shield-and-wooden-sword @asttralhell @raiswanson @kittensartswriting @fynniana @lynnafred @random-stuff-thrown-into-a-pot 

[savageolivegarden]

I was just thinking what if Twilight au with Bella as the vampire matriarch of The Olympic Coven??

Bella is turned, she has incredible control and refuses to feed on humans which catches the attention of Aro

She lives with the Volturi for a time and develops her shield abilities and pours over their libraries learning everything she can about her kinds history.

Alice is changed and wakes up with no memories but dreams a mystery man who is her soulmate and a girl who will be her best friend.

Bella grows unhappy with the way the Volturi treat humans and she leaves and lives alone until Alice and Jasper join her.

Some years later Bella meets human Emmett and grows fond of the joke cracking, family loving young man he is but stays distant since he is a human and knowing humans is dangerous.

While out hunting she hears Emmett being attacked by a bear.

She’s too late to save him with human medicine though and she turns him

3 years later Emmett becomes infatuated with a human Rosalie but he knows that it’s dangerous for a human to know about vampires so he just watches her from afar.

Rosalie is attacked by Royce and Emmett carries her bloodied body back to Bella, begging her to change her.

In a brief moment of consciousness Rosalie consents and she is turned

It takes some time for Rose to trust the Swan family

She’s afraid of a twitchy Jasper and unsure of the big, loud Emmett.

But Emmett is kind and patient and he looks at her with such love in his eyes

His jokes make her laugh and when she decides to hunt down Royce he agrees to help.

They plan everything out and when it comes to the actual act Emmett stands back and let’s Rose deal out every intricate torture herself.

It’s her revenge and she should have it.

Afterwards he helps her wash Royce’s filthy blood from her hands and holds her while she grieves for everything her life could have been. 

While working as a nurse/midwife Bella treats a human Esme, she sees the abuse and worries over what will happen to this woman.

Alice shares her own concerns and they half come up with a plan to murder Esme’s husband Charles but Esme falls pregnant and the future is uncertain.

They wait.

The abuse continues and Esme loses her son.

Bella finds her at the bottom of a cliff broken and knowing how intelligent and loving and full of potential this woman is she can’t let her die.

Esme wakes up as a vampire.

Esme and Rosalie kill Charles.

Bella knows Alice saw it coming and told her sister.

Bella also knows it had to happen.

Esme and Bella are working as nurses in a local hospital when Bella meets a dying Edward.

The overwhelming pull she feels is like nothing she’s ever felt

She’s never craved human blood like this.

His blood sings for her but she knows humans and vampires don’t mix well and she doesn’t want to harm a human so she does everything she can to heal him

She’s damned but she’ll be damned again before she let’s his human life be taken away.

Edwards parents die and then Edward worsens.

Bella confides in Alice who tells her that loving Edward is her destiny, that they’re made for each other just like Rosalie and Emmett and her and Jasper.

Bella fantasises about the possible future Alice saw and in a moment of weakness she turns Edward saving his life.

Bella never imagined she’d find love, she knew she’d be alone forever but that’s all changed and maybe she can have her happy ending.

One night while wondering the streets of London Edward is drawn into a church, he hears faint choking, gasping, a racing heart and the smell of blood and vampire venom changing a human.

He find Carlisle fighting almost silently through the most painful change anyone could go through, he reads his mind and knows that this is someone worth knowing.

He know that Carlisle is afraid of him, knows a rogue vampire did this, he knows Carlisle’s father would kill his son for what he’s become so he stays to protect him and monitor his change.

Carlisle survives the change and wakes up a vampire.

It takes some convincing but Edward manages to take Carlisle to see his mate and coven leader Bella.

Upon arrival at their newest London house though they’re met first by Esme

Who was worried Edward had been gone so long and is about to tell him off when her eyes land on Carlisle

The rest is history.

Bella tells Carlisle everything he wants to know, vegetarian vampires heck yeah count me in, wow hot vampire wife who’s been waiting almost a hundred years for me heck yeah.

HECK YEAH

The End